Chemistry : Surface Chemistry

SECTION - I
SUBJECTIVE TYPE PROBLEMS
Problem 1: The conductance of an emulsion increases on adding common salt. What type of
emulsion is this ?
Solution: Oil-in-water type.
Problem 2: Which one of the following electrolytes is most effective for the coagulation of Fe(OH)3
sol and why?
NaCl, Na2SO4, Na3PO4
Solution: Fe(OH)3 is a positively charged sol. According to Hardy-Schulze rule, greater the charge on
the oppositely charged ion of the electrolyte added, more effective it is in bringing about
coagulation. Hence Na3PO4 (containing PO43– ions) is most effective.
Problem 3: Why adsorption is always exothermic?
Solution: Adsorption is accompanied by decrease of randomness, i.e., this factor opposes the process,
i.e., S is –ve. For the process to be spontaneous, G must be –ve. Hence, according to
eqn. G = H – TS, G can be –ve only if H is –ve.
Problem 4: What form Freundlich adsorption isotherm equation will take at high pressures?

x
Solution:  K, i.e., it becoems independent of pressure at constant temperature.
m
Problem 5: Which will adsorb more gas, a lump of charcoal or its powder and why?
Solution: Powdered charcoal will adsob more gas because of its larger surface area than a lump of
charcoal.
Problem 6: A one-litre vessel contained a gas at 27°C. 6g of charcoal was introduced into it. The
pressure of the gas fell down from 700 mm to 400 m.. Calculate the volume of the gas
(at STP) adsorbed per gram of charcoal. Density of charcoal sample used was
1.5 g cm–3.
Solution: Volume of the vessel = 1000 cm3

6g
Volume of charcoal present in the vessel =  4cm3
1.5g cm 3

Volume of the gas initially at 27°C, 700 mm pressure = 1000 – 4 = 996 cm3
Volume of the gas at 400 mm and 27°C = the Volume of the vessel excluding that of
charcoal = 996 cm3
Now, calculate equivalent volume of the gas at 700 mm at the same temperature
P1V1 = P2V2
V2 = 569.1 cc
 Volume of the gas adsorbed at 27°C, 700 mm pressure = 996 – 569.1 = 426.9 cm3

426.9 3 1
 Volume adsorbed per gram of charcoal = cm g = 71.1 cm3 g–1
6

P1V1 P2 V2 700  71.8 760  V2

Converting this volume to STP, T  T i.e. 300 
273
1 2

or V2 = 59.6 cm3
Problem 7: 20% of surface sites are occupied by N2 molecules. The density of surface sites is
6.023 × 1014 cm–2 and total surface area is 1000 cm2. The catalyst is heated to 300 K
while N2 is completely desorbed into a pressure of 0.001 atm and volume 2.46 cm3.
Find the active sites occupied by each N2 molecule.
Solution: Step 1 : Calculation of total no. of surface sites
Density of surface sites = 6.023 × 1014 cm–2
Total surface area = 1000 cm2 = 103 cm2
 Total no. of surface sites
= (6.023 × 1014) × (103) = 6.023 × 1017
Step 2 : Calculation of surface sites occupied by N2 molecules.

20
Surface sites occupied =  6.023  1017  1.2046  1017
100
Step 3 : Calculation of total no. of N2 molecules
P = 0.001 atm,
V = 2.46 cm3 = 2.46 × 10–3 L,
T = 300 K
PV = nRT

103 atm  2.46  103 L

or n  = 10–7 mole
0.0821 L atm K 1 mol 1  300 K

 No. of molecules = (10–7) × (6.023 × 1023) = 6.023 × 1016

Step 4 : Calculation of no. of sites occupied by each N2 molecules

No. of sites ocupied 1.2046  1017

 2
No. of N 2 molecules = 6.023  1016

Problem 8: In an adsorption experiment, a graph between log (x/m) versus log p was found to be
linear with a slope of 45°. The intercept on the log (x/m) axis was found to be 0.3010.
Calculate the amount of the gas adsorbed per gram of charcoal under a pressure of
0.5 atmosphere.
 Chemistry : Surface Chemistry

Solution: According to Freundlich equation,

x x 1
 Kp1/ n or log  log K  log p
m m n

x 1
 Plot of log versus log p is linear with slope =  tan   tan 45  1 or n = 1
m n
log K = 0.3010 or K = Antilog 0.3010 = 2
At p = 0.5 atm,

x
 Kp1/ n  2  (0.5)1  1.0
m
Problem 9: The volume of nitrogen gas vm (measured at STP) required to cover a sample of silica
gel with a mono-molecular layer is 129 cm3 g–1 of gel. Calculate the surface area per
gram of the gel if each nitrogen molecule occupied 16.2 × 10–20 m2.
Solution: 22400 cm3 of N2 at STP contain = 6.022 × 1023 molecules

6.022  10 23  129
 129 cm3 of N2 at STP will contain  = 3.468 × 1021 molecules
22400

Area occupied by a single molecule = 16.2 × 10–20 m2

 Area occupied by 3.468 × 10–20 molecule of N2 = (16.2 × 10–20) × (3.468 × 1021)
m2 = 561.8 m2
 Surface area per gram of gel = 561.8 m2.
Problem 10: 1 g of characoal adsobs 100 ml of 0.5 M CH3COOH to form a monolayer, and thereby
the molarity of CH 3 COOH reduces to 0.49. Calculate the surface area of
the charcoal adsorbed by each molecule of acetic acid. Surface area of charcoal
= 3.01 × 102 m2/g.
Solution: 100 ml of 0.5 M CH3COOH contains CH3COOH = 0.05 mole
After adsorption, CH3COOH present = 0.049 mole
 Acetic acid adsorbed by 1 g charcoal = 0.001 mole = 6.02 × 1020 molecules
Surface area of 1 g of charcoal = 3.01 × 102 m2

3.01  1023 m 2
 Surface area of charcoal adsorbed by each molecule 
6.02  1020

= 5 × 10–19 m2
 SECTION - II
SINGLE CHOICE PROBLEMS
Problem 1: Freundlich adsorption isotherm gives a straight line on plotting

x x
(a) vs P (b) log vs P
m m

x x 1
(c) log vs log P (d) vs
m m P

x x
Solution: Freundlich adsorption isotherm gives a straight line on plotting log vs log P (  KP1/ n
m m
x 1
i.e., log  log K  log P)
m n
Ans. (c)
Problem 2: Which one of the following is wrong about physical adsorption?
(a) It involves only van der Waal’s forces of attraction.
(b) It has low heat of adsorption
(c) It is reversible in nature
(d) It forms a unimolecular layer on the surface of the adsorbent.
Solution: Physical adsorption forms multimolecular layer.
And. (d)
Problem 3: The volmes of gases H2, CH4, CO2 and NH3 adsorbed by 1 g of charcoal at 298 K are in the
order :
(a) H2 > CH4 > CO2 > NH3
(b) CH4 > CO2 >NH3 > H2
(c) CO2 > NH3 > H2 > CH4
(d) NH3 > CO2 > CH4 > H2
Solution: Greater is the critical temperature of gas, greater is the adsorption. Critical temperature (K)
are NH3 (406), CO2 (304), CH4 (190) H2 (33). Thus adsorption decreases from NH3 to H2
in this order.
And. (d)
Problem 4: Which of the following is not an application of adsorption?
(a) Ion exchange process in softening of hard water
(b) Chromatographic analysis
(c) Clarification of sugar
(d) Theory of homogeneous catalysis.
Solution: Homogenous catalysis is not explained on the basis of adsorption.
And. (d)
 Chemistry : Surface Chemistry

Problem 5: Which of the following is true during adsorption?

(a) G, H and S all are negative
(b) G is negative but H and S are positive
(c) G and H are negative but S is positive
(d) G and S are negative but H is positive
Solution: During adsorption G, H and S all are negative.
And. (a)
Problem 6: A gel is colloidal dispersion of
(a) A liquid in a solid (b) A solid in a liquid
(c) A liquid in a liquid (d) A gas in a liquid
Solution: A gel is a colloidal dispersion of a liquid in a solid.
And. (a)
Problem 7: Lyophobic colloids show
(a) No interaction with the dispersion medium
(b) Medium interactions with the dispersion medium
(c) Strong interactions with the dispersion medium
(d) Strong electrostatic repulsions between the negatively charged colloidal particles.
Solution: Lyophobic colloids show no interaction with the dispersion medium.
And. (a)
Problem 8: On adding few drops of dil. HCl to freshly precipitated ferric hydroxide, a red coloured
colloidal solution is obtained. This phenomenon is known as
(a) Peptisation (b) Dialysis
(c) Protective action (d) Dissolution
Peptisation
Solution: Fe(OH)3  H   Cl   Fe(OH)3 (positively charged colloidal sol.)
Freshly pptd. Dil.

And. (a)
Problem 9: Arsenic sulphide sol is prepared by passing H2S through arsenic oxide solution. The charge
developed on the particles is due to adsorption of
(a) H + (b) S2–
(c) OH– (d) O2–
As 2 O3 (aq)  3H 2S(aq)  As 2S3  3H 2 O
Solution: colloidal sol.

As2S3 then adsorbs S2– ions from H2S solution containing H+ and S2– ions and becomes
negatively charged.
And. (b)
Problem 10: Which of the following ions has minimum flocculation value?
(a) Cl– (b) SO42–
(c) PO43– (d) [Fe(CN)6]4–
Solution: [Fe(CN)6]4– ion has higher magnitude of charge, hence has the minimum flocculation value.
And. (d)
 SECTION - III
MULTIPLE CHOICE PROBLEMS
(with one or more than one answer correct)

Problem 1: Colloidal solution is prepared by

(a) reduction method (b) dissociation method
(c) hydrolysis method (d) none of these
Solution : Reduction method, dissociation method and hydrolysis method.
Ans. (a, b, c)
Problem 2: Which of the following statements is correct for electrophoresis?
(a) Colloids are uncharged particles and do not migrate towards the electrodes when electric
field is applied
(b) In electrophoresis, solution migrates either to the anode or to the cathode depending on
the positively or negatively charged solution
(c) Electrophoresis is a useful method for finding the charge of a solution
(d) all of these
Solution : b & c are corrct.
Statement (a) is incorrect because colloids are charged particles.
Ans. (b, c)
Problem 3: Which are true statements :
(a) water vapour is absorbed by anhydrous calcium chloride but adsorbed by silica gel
(b) NH3 is absorbed by water but adsorbed by charcoal
(c) sugar is decolourised by animal charcoal based on adsorption
(d) water is absorbed by conc. H2SO4
Solution : All are correct statements
Ans. (a, b, c, d)
Problem 4: Catalyst increases the rate :
(a) by decreasing Energy of activation
(b) by increasing Energy of activation
(c) by decreasing entropy
(d) by increasing entropy
Solution : By decreasing energy of activation or by decreasing entropy.
Ans. (a, c)
Problem 5: Which of the following reactions do not lead to the formation of colloidal solution?
(a) Cu + HgCl2  CuCl2 + Hg
(b) 2 HNO3 + 3 H2S  3S + H2O + 2NO
(c) 2 Mg + CO2  2 MgO + C
(d) Cu + CuCl2  2 CuCl
 Chemistry : Surface Chemistry

Solution : In case of reaction (b), sulphur sol. is formed.

Ans. (a, c, d)
Problem 6: Which of the following are not intrinsic colloids?
(a) Egg albumen (b) Sulphur
(c) Arsenic sulphide (d) Ferric hydroxide
Solution : Sulphur, Arsenic sulphide and ferric hydroxide
Ans. (b, c, d)
Problem 7: Multimolecular colloids are present in
(a) Sol of sulphur (b) Sol of Proteins
(c) Sol of gold (d) Soap solution
Solution : Sol. of sulphur and sol of gold
Ans. (a, c)
Problem 8: Methods used for the preparation of colloidal solutions are
(a) Peptisation (b) Hydrolysis
(c) Ultrasonic dispersion (d) Coagulation
Solution : Coagulation is settling down of the colloidal particles.
Ans. (a, b, c)
Problem 9: Adsorption is accompanied by
(a) decrease in enthalpy of the system
(b) increase in entropy of the system
(c) decrease in free energy of the system
(d) TS for the process is positive
Solution : decrease in enthalpy of the system and decrease in free energy of the system.
Ans. (a, c)
Problem 10: Which one is not lyophobic in nature?
(a) Starch sol (b) White of an egg
(c) Sulphur sol (d) As2S3 sol
Solution : Starch sol and white of an egg are lyophilic in nature.
Ans. (a, b).
 SECTION - IV
COMPREHENSION TYPE PROBLEMS

WRITE UP – I
Lyophilic colloidal sols are much more stable than lyophobic colloidal sols. This is due to the extensively
solvation of lyophilic colloidal sols, which forms a protective layer outside it and thus prevents it form
forming associated collids.
Lyophilic colloidal sols also protect lyophobic colloidal sols form precipitation by the action of electrolytes.
This is due to formation of a protective layer by lyophilic sols outside lyophobic sols. Lyophilic colloidal
sols are called protective sols. Gelatin (lyophilic) protects gold sol (lyophobic) form coagulation on the
addition of sodium chloride solution.
Protective powers of different colloidal sols are measured in terms of 'gold number' (Zsigmondy)
It is defined as the amount of protective sol in milligrams that prevents the coagulation of 10 mL of a
given gold sol on adding 1 mL of 10 per cent solution of sodium chloride. Thus smaller the gold number
of a lyophilic sol, the greater is the protective power

Problem 1 : 0.025 g of starch sol is required to prevent coagulation of 10 mL gold sol when 1 mL of 10%
NaCl solution is present. What is gold number of starch sol ?
(a) 0.025 (b) 2.5 × 10–5
(c) 0.25 (d) 25
Solution : 0.025 g of starch sol is required
or 25 mg of starch sol is required
It means, gold number = 25.
Ans. (d)
Problem 2 : Gold number of haemoglobin is 0.03 then how much haemoglobin will required for
100 mL of gold sol so that gold is not coagulated by 10 mL of 10% NaCl solution :
(a) 0.03 mg (b) 30 mg
(c) 0.30 mg (d) 3 mg
Solution : For 10 ml gold sol 0.03 mg haemoglobin is required.
For 100 ml gold sol haemoglobin requirement = 0.3 mg
Ans. (c)
Problem 3 : Small quantity of FeCl3 solution is added to freshly prepared and well washed Fe(OH)3 ppt.
(a) Fe(OH)3 is dissolved forming FeCl3
(b) a reddish brown positively charged sol [Fe(OH)3]Fe3+ is formed due to peptisation
(c) a reddish brown negatively charged sol [Fe(OH)3] : 3Cl– is formed due to peptisation
(d) Fe(OH)3 . FeCl3 (a double salt) is formed
Solution : A reddish brown positively charged sol [Fe(OH)3]Fe3+ is formed due to peptisation.
Ans. (b)
 Chemistry : Surface Chemistry

WRITE UP – II
In macromolecular type of colloids, the dispersed particles are themselves large molecules (usually
polymers). Since these molecules have dimension comparable to those of colloidal particles, their
dispersions are called macromolecular colloids. Most lyophilic sols belong to this category.
There are certain colloids which behave as normal strong electrolytes at low concentration, but exhibir
colloidal properties at higher concentrations due to the formation of aggregated particles. These are
known as micelles or associated colloids. Surface active agents like soaps and synthetic detergents
belong to this class.
· Critical micelle concentraton (CMC) is the lowest concentration at which micelle formation appears.
CMC increases with total surfactant concentration. At concentration higher than CMC, they form
extended parallel sheets known as lamellar micelles which resemble biological membranes. With
two molecules thick, the individual molecule is perpendicular to the sheets such that hydrophilic
groups are on the outside in aqueous solution and on the inside is a non-polar medium.
· In concentrated solutions, micelles take the form of long cylinders packed in hexagonal arrays and
are called lytotropic mesomorphs.
· In an aqueous solution (polar medium), the polar groups point towards the periphery and the
hydrophobic hydrocarbon chains point towards the center forming the core of the micelle.
· Micelles from the ionic surfactants can be formed only above a certain temperature called the
Kraft temperature.
· They are capable of forming ions.
· Molecules of soaps and detergents consist of lyophilic as well as lyophobic parts which associate
together to form micelles.
· Micelles may contain as many as 100 molecules ore more.

Problem 4 : Which part of the soap (RCOO–) dissolves grease and forms micelle ?
(a) R part (called tail of the anion)
(b) —COO– part (called head of the anion)
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) none of these
Solution : Because grease is nonpolar in nature.
Ans. (a)
Problem 5 : In multimolecular colloidal sols, atoms or molecules are held together by :
(a) H-bonding
(b) van der Waals forces
(c) ionic bonding
(d) polar covalent bonding
Solution : Vanderwaal’s forces
Ans. (b)
Problem 6 : Cleansing action of soap occurs because :
(a) oil and grease can be absorbed into the hydrophobic centers of soap micelles and
washed away
(b) oil and grease can be absorbed into the hydrophilic centers of soap micelles acid
washed away
(c) oil and grease can be absorbed into both hydrophilic and hydrophobic centers but not
washed away
(d) cleansing action is not related to micelles.
Solution : Oil and grease can be adsorbed into the hydrophobic centers of soap micelles and washed
away.
Ans. (a)

MATCHING TYPE PROBLEM

Problem 7. Column (I) Column (II)

(a) Solid sol (p) Dispersed phase is sold
(b) Sol (q) Dispersion medium is solid
(c) Emulsion (r) Dispersed phase is liquid
(d) Gel (s) Dispersion medum is liquid
Solution : For solid sol both dispersed phase and dispersed medium are solid
For solid dispersed phase is solid but dispersed medium is liquid
For emulsion, both are liquid
For Gel, dispersed phase is liquid and dispersed medium is solid
Ans. (a) — (p, q) (b) — (p, s)
(c) — (r, s) (d) — (r, q)

ASSERTION-REASONING TYPE PROBLEMS

The question given below consist of an ASSERTION and the REASON. Use the following key for the
appropriate answers
(a) If both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion
(b) If both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is not the correct explanation for
Assertion
(c) If Assertion is correct but Reason is not correct.
(d) If Assertion is incorrect but Reason is correct.
Problem 8. Assertion : Colloidal silver iodide is prepared by adding silver nitrate is slight excess to
potassium iodide solution. When subjected to an electric field, the colloidal particles migrate
to the anode.
Reason : Colloidal particles adsorb ions and thus become electrically charged
Solution : As AgNO3 is in excess, the AgI particles will adsorb Ag+ ions and hence will be +ve and
move towards cathode.
Ans. (d)
 Chemistry : Surface Chemistry

Problem 9. Assertion : A gas with higher critical temperature is adsorbed more than a gas with lower
critical temperature on the same adsorbent.
Reason : Higher critical temperature implies that the gas is more easily liquefiable.
Solution : Higher critical temperature implies that the intermolecular forces of attraction are strong
and hence the adsorption is more
Ans. (b)
Problem 10. Assertion : For adsorption G, S and H all have negative values.
Reason : Adsorption is a spontaneous process accompanied by decrease in randomness.
Solution : R is the correct explanation A.
Ans. (a)