Part # 3 : Colloids

True solutions are homogeneous systems. Sand in water when stirred gives
a suspension, which slowly settles down with time. Between the two
extremes of suspensions and solutions there are third types of systems
called colloidal dispersions or colloids.

Colloidal solution is a heterogeneous system consisting of 2 phases :

(1) Dispersed /Disperse Phase (D.P) : Just like solute.
(2) Dispersion Medium (D.M) : Just like solvent.
Colloidal solution = D.P. + D.M.
For example, In colloidal solution of gold : Gold is D.P and water is D.M.
The essential difference between a solution and a colloid is that of particle
size. In a solution, the solute particles are very small. DP particles of
colloids are larger than simple molecules (solute) but smaller than
suspensions.

> 1000 nm 1 – 1000 nm < 1 nm

suspension colloidal solution True solution
1. Classification of colloids
Colloids are classified on the basis of the following criteria:
(i) Physical state of dispersed phase and dispersion medium
(ii) Nature of interaction between dispersed phase and dispersion medium
(iii) On the basis of chemical composition:
(iv) Type of particles of the dispersed phase.
1.1 Classification Based on Physical State of D. P. and D. M.:
Depending upon whether the dispersed phase and the dispersion medium are solids,
liquids or gases, eight types of colloidal systems are possible
Dispersed phase Dispersion medium Type of olloid Example
Solid Solid Solid sol Coloured glasses and
gem stones

Solid Liquid Sol Paints, cell fluids

Solid Gas Aerosol Smoke, dust
Liquid Solid Gel Cheese, jellies
Liquid Liquid Emulsion Milk, hair cream
Liquid Gas Aerosol Fog, mist, cloud,

Gas Solid Solid sol Pumice stone, foam

rubber.

Gas Liquid Foam Froth, whipped

cream, soap lather
1.2 Classification Based on Nature of interaction between dispersed phase and
dispersion medium :

Colloidal sols are divided into two categories, namely, lyophilic (solvent attracting) and
lyophobic (solvent repelling). If water is the dispersion medium, the terms used are
hydrophilic and hydrophobic.

(i) Lyophilic colloids: The word ‘lyophilic’ means liquid-loving. The colloidal
solution in which the particles of the dispersed phase have a great affinity (or love) for
the dispersion medium (heavily hydrated), are called lyophilic colloids. They are
directly formed by mixing substances like gum, gelatine, starch, etc., with a suitable
liquid (the dispersion medium) and reversible in nature.
(ii) Lyophobic colloids:
The word ‘lyophobic’ means liquid-hating. The colloidal solutions in which there is no
affinity between particles of DP and the DM are called lyophobic colloids.

Substances like metals, their sulphides, etc. , when simply mixed with the DM do not
form the colloidal sol. Their colloidal sols can be prepared only by special methods.
They are not stable so need stabilizing agents for their preservation.

To get stability colloidal particles acquire charge on their surface.

These sols are precipitated (or coagulated) upon addition of small amounts of
electrolytes. Further, once precipitated, they do not give back the colloidal sol by simple
addition of the dispersion medium. Hence these sols are also called irreversible sols.
S.No. Property Lyophilic colloids Lyophobic colloids
There are easily formed by direct These are formed only by special
1 Preparation
mixing. methods

2 Reversibility These are reversible in nature These are irreversible in nature.

These are less stable and require

3 Stability These are very stable
stabilizers
The particles move in a specific
The particles have very small direction either towards anode or
4 Charge on particles amount of charge or do not carry cathode depending upon their charge
any charge. in an electric field

The addition of small amount of

Action of No effect electrolytes causes precipitation
5
electrolytes (called coagulation).

The particles of colloids are heavily

The particles of colloids are not
6 Hydration hydrated due to the attraction for
appreciably hydrated.
the solvent.
S.No. Property Lyophilic colloids Lyophobic colloids

It is higher than that of dispersion It is nearly same as that of dispersion

7 Viscosity
medium medium
They show less Tyndall effect or
8 Tyndall effect They show Tyndall effect.
do not show Tyndall effect.
It is nearly same as that of dispersion
9 Surface tension Lower than dispersion medium
medium

Migration in May or may not migrate as they Migrate toward anode or cathode as
11
electric field may not carry charge these particles carry charge
Inorganic nature; Transition metal
Mostly organic nature; Starch and
12 Example salt in water, gold etc., Metal
Gelatin
solution
1.3 On the basis of chemical composition :
On the basis of chemical composition of DP:
(i) Metal sols : Cu, Ag, Au, Pt Sols.

(ii) Non Metal sols : S, I2, Graphite

(iii) Sol of oxide and hydroxide : SnO2, TiO2, Fe2O3, Fe(OH)3, AI(OH)3,

(iv) Salt Sol - AgBr, AgI, As2S3, etc.

On the basis of D.M. : Colloidal solution are classified as

D.M. Name of colloidal system

Water Hydro sol or aqua sol
Alcohol Alco sols
Benzene Benzo sols
Air Aero sols
1.4 Classification Based on Type of Particles of the Dispersed Phase

1. Multimolecular colloids : The colloidal particles are formed by aggregation of atoms

or small molecules size less than 1 nm. For example, sols of gold atoms and sulphur
(S8) molecules.

2. Macromolecular colloids: Particles of the DP are sufficiently big in size (macro) to be

of colloidal dimensions. Example : polymers or macromolecules like starch, cellulose,
proteins, enzymes, gelatin, etc.

3. Associated colloids (Micelles): These are the substances which behave as normal
strong electrolytes at low concentration but behave as colloidal particles at higher
concentration. These associated particles are also called micelles
 MICELLES (Associated colloids)
There are some substances which at low concentrations behave as normal strong
electrolytes (true solution), but at higher concentrations show colloidal behavior
due to the formation of aggregates. The aggregated particles are called micelles or
associated colloids.

The formation of micelles takes place only above a particular concentration called
critical micelle concentration (CMC).

The formation of micelles takes place only above a particular temperature called
Kraft temperature (Tk)
On dilution, these colloids revert back to ions.
Surface active agents such as soaps and synthetic detergents belong to this class.
Micelles may contain as many as 100 molecules or more.
 O
CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 C

ONa
CH3 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2

Sodium stearate (C17H35COO)

O
CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 C
O
CH3 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2 CH2

Hydrophobic tail stearate ion Hydrophobic

head

Hydrophilic head

Hydrophobic tail

Hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts of stearate ion

2. Preparation of Colloids
(1) Preparation of lyophilic sols : The colloidal solutions of lyophilic colloids like
starch, gum, glue, gelatin etc, can be prepared by dissolving these substances in
water either by cooling or warming.
(2) Preparation of lyophobic sols : There are two concepts to lyophobic sol.
(i) Dispersion methods : Broken of bigger particles into into fine particles of
colloidal dimension (1Å to 103 Å )

(ii) Condensation methods : By aggregating very small particles (atoms, ions or

molecules) into colloidal size.
3.1 Dispersion Methods
(i) Mechanical dispersion : Solid material is finely ground in a colloidal mill with
dispersion medium which gives a colloidal solution. The suspension is now
introduced into the colloid mill. The particles are ground down to colloidal size and are
then dispersed in the liquid . A stabilizer is often added to stabilize the colloidal
solution. Colloidal graphite (a lubricant or Indian ink) and printing ink

Suspension

Tannin and gum arabic is used as a Driving belt

stabilizer in the preparation of colloidal

graphite (Indian ink).
Discharge Discharge
Discs Metal disc
(ii) Electro-dispersion (Bredig's arc method) : This method is suitable for the
preparation of colloidal solutions of metals like gold, silver, platinum, etc. A very
voltage is used between the metal electrodes container in an ice bath. The intense heat
produced due high voltage, vaporises some of the metal which condenses under cold
water.
In this method charge at the surface sol particles is acquired by electron capture.
(iii) Ultrasonic dispersion : The sound waves of high frequency are usually called ultrasonic
waves. These waves used to prepare to prepare colloid solutions of oils, mercury, sulphur,
sulphides and oxides of metals

(iv) Peptization : Peptization is the process of converting a freshly prepared precipitate into
colloidal sol by addition of a small amount of electrolyte. The electrolyte used for this
process is called peptizing agent. During peptization, the precipitate adsorbs one of the ions
of the electrolyte on its surface. This causes the development of positive or negative charge
on precipitates, which break up into smaller particles of the size of a colloid.
The ion adsorbed on the surface of ppt is always a common ion of the electrolyte.

A few examples of sols obtained by peptization are :

(a) Ferric chloride (acts as a peptizing agent) is added to freshly prepared ferric
hydroxide reddish brown colloidal solution is obtained. Freshly precipitated Fe(OH)3
adsorbs Fe3+ ions (common ions) and breaks up into small-sized particles.
 +3 +3
+3
+3 +3 +3 +3
+3 +3
+3 +3 +3
+3
+ Fe
3+
+3 +3
+3 +3 +3
Peptizing agent +3
+3 +3 +3 +3 +3 +3
ppt of Fe (OH)3 +3
+3 +3
+3 +3
+3 +3 +3 +3
+3 +3

Charge Colloidal particals of Fe (OH)3

(b) Freshly precipitated silver chloride can be converted into a colloidal solution
by a small amount of hydrochloric acid.
Q. Which of the following will form negatively charged colloidal solution ?

a.) 100ml 0.1M AgNO3 + 100ml 0.1M KI

b.) 100ml 0.2M AgNO3 + 100ml 0.1M KI
c.) 100ml 0.1M AgNO3 + 100ml 0.2M KI
d.) 100ml 0.2M AgNO3 + 200ml 0.1M KI
3.2 Condensation Methods :
(i) By exchange of solvents : Sulphur or phosphorus are highly soluble in alcohol but
very less soluble in water so, if a solution of sulphur or phosphorus prepared in alcohol is
added into water, a colloidal solution of sulphur or phosphorus is obtained.

(ii) By change of physical state : Colloidal solutions of certain elements such as

mercury and sulphur are obtained by passing their vapour through cold water containing a
stabilizer (an ammonium salt or a citrate)

(iii) Chemical methods : Colloidal solutions can be prepared by chemical reactions

leading to formation of molecules by double decomposition, oxidation, reduction or
hydrolysis.
As2O3 + 3H2S 
Double decomposition
 As2S3(sol) + 3H2O

SO2 + 2H2S 

Oxidation
 3S(sol) + 2H2O

2AuCl3 + 3HCHO + 3H2O 

Reduction
 2Au(sol) + 3HCOOH + 6HCl
PURIFICATION OF COLLOIDAL SOLUTION :
(a) Dialysis :
 The process of separating crystalloid (small particles and
ions) from colloids by diffusion through a suitable
membrane is called dialysis.
 Its principle is based upon the fact that colloidal Water
+
particles can not pass through a parchment or Crystalloid
cellophane membrane while the ions of the
electrolyte can pass through it. Water
Sol particle

 The impurities slowly diffuse out of the bag

leaving behind pure colloidal solution.
Crystalloid

 Prolonged dialysis can cause the colloid to coagulate.

(b) Electrodialysis :

 Process of dialysis can be made faster by applying an electric field if the dissolved
substances in the impure colloidal solution is only an electrolyte.

Dialysing
membrane

Water
+
Electrolyte
Anode + – + – Cathode

Water

Sol particle Crystalloid

(c) Ultrafiltration :

 Sol particles directly pass through ordinary filter paper because their pores are larger
than the size of sol particles.
 If the pores of the ordinary filter paper are made smaller by soaking the filter paper
in a solution of gelatin or collodion and subsequently hardened by soaking in
formaldehyde, the treated filter paper may retain colloidal particles and allow the
true solution particles to escape.
 Such filter paper is known as ultra filter and the process of separating colloids by
using ultra-filters is known as ultrafiltration.
 Collodion is a 4% solution of nitro cellulose in mixture of alcohol and ether.
4. Properties of Colloidal Solutions
Various properties exhibited by the colloidal solutions are described below:
(i) Heterogeneous character : Colloidal sols are heterogeneous in character as they
consist of two phases. (a) dispersed phase and (b) dispersion medium.
(ii) Visibility :
 Colloidal particles can not be seen with naked eyes.
 Colloidal particles can beseen through a ultra microscope.
 Solute particles of true solution are not visible through ultra microscope and
suspension particle are visible by naked eye.
(iii) Filterability : Colloidal particles pass through an ordinary filter paper. but the
particle do not pass through other fine membranes (parchment and SPM).
(iv) Colligative properties :

 Colligative properties depend on the relative number of

solute particles in solution.

 In case of colloidal solutions, colloidal particles are the aggregates of ions or

molecules and when compared to true solutions, the total no. of particles of solute
in solution are very less due to large size and hence these solutions exhibit
colligative properties of low order
(v) Optical properties (Sols exhibits Tyndall effect):

When light is focussed on a sol and observed perpendicular

to the beam of light rays, a cone is seen which is called
Tyndall cone. This was observed by Tyndall and is known as
Tyndall effect. Tyndall effect is due to scattering of light in all
direction.

Tyndall effect can be observed only when following

two conditions can be satisfied:

1.) Diameter of dispersed particle is not much smaller

than wavelength of light used.
2.) The refractive indices of the dispersed phase and
dispersion medium differ greatly in magnitude.
 l Application of Tyndall Effect :
(i) In making ultramicroscopes.
(ii) Tyndall effect is used to distinguish between a colloidal and true
solution because true solutions do not have tyndall effect.

Note : Tyndall effect does not provide any information about the size and
shape of colloidal partical.

(v) Colour:
Colour of colloidal particles depends on the wavelength of light scattered
by DP so colour of colloidal solution depends on
(1). Size and nature of DP particles e.g. finest gold sol is red, as the size
of particles increases it becomes purple and blue and finally golden.
(2). Manner in which the observer receive light e.g. Mixture of milk and
water appears blue when viewed in reflected light and Red when
viewed in transmitted light.
(vi) Kinetic properties :
 When a sol is examined with an ultramicroscope, it is observed that the particle is in
a state of continuous motion in zigzag path.
 The continuous rapid zigzag motion of a colloidal particle in the dispersion medium is
called "Brownian movement or motion" (first observed by British
botanist Robert Brown).
 As per NCERT Brownian motions does not depend on nature of colloid solution.

Dependence :


1
Mobility Size of the particle

 1
Viscosity

 Temperature
(i) Charge on colloidal particles :
Colloidal particles always carry an electric charge. The mutual forces repulsion between
similarly charged particles prevent them from aggregation and settling under the
action of gravity. This gives stability to the solution.

Positively Charged Negatively charged

1. Metallic hydroxides Cr(OH)3, 1. Metallic sulphides like As2S3,
Al(OH)3, Fe(OH)3 & hydrated Sb2S3, CdS and Metal like: Au,
metallic oxides Al2O3.xH2O, Ag, Cu, Pt etc.
CrO3.xH2O
2. Basic dye in acidic medium stuff 2. Acid dye in basic medium
like:- Methylene blue sol stuff like:- Congo red sols
3. Haemoglobin (Hb) 4. Sols of starch, gum, gelatin,
clay & charcoal
NOTE:
Blood is a naturally occuring negatively charged colloid but Haemoglobin
(Hb) is a positively charged colloid.
 ELECTRICAL DOUBLE LAYER :
 The combination of the two layers of +ve and –ve charge
around the sol particle is called Helmholtz double layer.
The first layer of ions is firmly held and is termed as
Fixed layer or Compact layer. The second layer is mobile
which is termed as Diffused layer.
Mobile layer
 The diffused layer is only loosely attached to
Colloidal
Particles the particle surface and moves in the opposite
of Al(OH)3
Fixed layer direction under an applied electric field.

 The potential difference between the fixed layer and the

diffused layer of opposite charge is called Electrokinetic
Potential or Zeta Potential.
 High value of zeta potential represents high stability of
colloid solution.
 (j) Electrophoresis :
Reservoir
 If electric potential is applied across two
platinum electrodes dipped in a colloidal
solution, the colloidal particles move
Anode
Cathode Cathode
Anode towards one or the other electrode, due to
charge on them.

 The movement of sol particles under an

applied electric potential is called
Colloidal "Electrophoresis". Depending upon the
Water solution
(dispersion direction of movement of particles towards
medium) cathode or anode electrophoresis can be
called ‘Cataphoresis’ or ‘Anaphoresis’.
Stop cock
Electrophoresis provides an experimental proof to
show that the colloidal particles are charged
Fig. : Electrophoresis particles.
(k) Electro Osmosis :

 The medium will move in opposite direction to the

dispersed phase under the influence of applied electric
potential.
 The movement of dispersion medium under the influence of
applied potential is known as ‘Electro-osmosis’.(In presence
of plasma membrane)
(5) Coagulation or Flocullation :
The flocculation and settling down of the dispersed phase particles is called coagulation
or precipitation.

1.) For Lyophobic Sol :

The stability of a lyophobic sol is due to the adsorption of positive or negative ions by
the dispersed particles.
If somehow, the charge is removed there is nothing to keep the particles apart from
each other. In such cases they aggregate or flocculate and settle down under the
action of gravity.
A lyophobic sol can be coagulated by following methods
(i) By electrophoresis: The colloidal particles move towards oppositely charged
electrodes, get discharged and precipitated.
(ii) By mixing two oppositely charged sols (mutual coagulation of colloids):
Oppositely charged sols when mixed in almost equal proportions, neutralise their
charges and get partially or completely precipitated. Mixing of hydrated ferric
oxide (+ve sol) and arsenious sulphide (–ve sol) bring them in the precipitated
forms. This type of coagulation is called mutual coagulation.
(iii) By boiling: When a sol is boiled, the adsorbed layer is disturbed due to increased
collisions with the molecules of dispersion medium. This reduces the charge on
the particles and ultimately leads to settling down in the form of a precipitate.
(iv) By cooling : Certain sol can also be coagulated by lowering temperature. For
example, accumulation of cream on the surface of milk on cooling. This is because
at lower temperature the Brownian motion becomes less effective.
(v) By persistent dialysis: On prolonged dialysis, traces of the electrolyte present in
the sol are removed almost completely and the colloids become unstable and
ultimately coagulate.
(vi) By addition of electrolytes: When excess of an electrolyte is added, the colloidal
particles are precipitated. The reason is that colloids interact with ions carrying
charge opposite to that present on themselves. This causes neutralisation leading to
their coagulation. The ion responsible for neutralisation of charge on the particles
is called the coagulating ion. A negative ion causes the precipitation of positively
charged sol and vice versa.
 Coagulation in value or flocculation value
The minimum concentration of an electrolyte in millimoles per litre required to
cause precipitation of one litre of a colloidal solution in two hours is called
(coagulation in value or flocculation value) of the electrolyte for the sol. The smaller
the quantity needed the higher will be the coagulating power of an ion.
Comparision of relative coagulating power of two electrolyte for the same colloidal
solution :
1
Coagulating power 
coagulation value

coagulating power of electrolyteA coagulation valueB


coagulating power of electrolyteB coagulation valueA
Factor-Affecting Coagulations :
(i) Nature of sols : The lyophobic colloid can easily coagulate because it is a less stable
colloid, but lyophilic colloids coagulate hardly.
(ii) Nature of electrolyte : In equimolar electrolyte, strong electrolyte have greater
coagulating power than weak electrolyte. Example : 0.1M NaCl > 0.1M
CH3COOH.
Hardy-Schulze Rule : It has been observed that, generally, the greater the valence of
the flocculating ion added, the greater is its power to cause precipitation. This is
known as Hardy-Schulze rule.
In case of positive charged sol, the coagulating power of anion is in the order of
[Fe(CN)6]4– > PO43– > SO42– > Cl–
In case of negative charged sol, the coagulating power of cation is in the order of
Al3+ > Ba2+ > Na+.
The coagulation value decrease with increase in charge of the coagulating ion.
Coagulation of lyophilic sols:
There are two factors which are responsible for the stability of lyophilic sols. These
factors are the charge and solvation of the colloidal particles.When these two factors
are removed, a lyophilic sol can be coagulated. This is done (i) by adding an
electrolyte and (ii) by adding a suitable solvent. When solvents such as alcohol and
acetone are added to hydrophilic sols, the dehydration of dispersed phase occurs.
Under this condition, a small quantity of electrolyte can bring about coagulation.
 PROTECTION OR PROTECTIVE ACTION :

 The property of lyophilic sols to prevent the

precipitation or coagulation of a lyophobic sol
is called Protection.
O
O O OOO  The lyophilic sol used for this purpose
O Lyophllic sol.
(Protective colloid) are called Protective Colloid.
OO
OO OOO

 lyophilic sols form a thin layer around

OO OOOO

lyophobic sol or around the ions furnished

by electrolyte and therefore the coagulation
O

Lyophobic sol.
O

can not take place (as the size does not

O

(Protected
OO
O O OO
colloid) increase much).
[Protection of lyphobic sol.]
 Gelatin, Albumin, Gum Arabia, Potato Starch are some
of the examples of Protective colloids.
 The lyophilic colloids differ in their protective power. The
protective power is measured in terms of Gold number.
 Gold number : (Zsigmondy)

 The number of milligrams of a hydrophilic colloid that will

just prevent the precipitation of 10 ml of standard gold sol
on addition of 1 ml of 10% NaCl solution is known as Gold
number of that protector (Lyophilic colloid).

 The smaller the gold number of a protective

lyophilic colloid, greater is its protection power.
Gold Number of some hydrophilic colloids
𝟏
Lyophilic Colloid Gold Number Protection Capacity 
𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝒏𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓
Gelatin 0.005 - 0.01
Egg albumen 0.08 - 0.1 Gold number =
𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐲𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐨𝐥 (𝒎𝒈)
𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐲𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐨𝐥 (𝒎𝑳)
Gum arabic 0.10 - 0.15
Potato - starch 25
 The precipitation of the gold sol is indicated by a colour change from Red to Blue
when the particle size just increases.
 Gelatin has the maximum protective power.
3.7 Emulsions
If a mixture of two immiscible or partially miscible liquids is shaken emulsion is
obtained. Generally, one of the two liquids is water. There are two types of emulsions.
(i) Oil dispersed in water (O/W type) : In this emulsion, oil is the dispersed phase and
water is the dispersion medium. It is denoted by O/W or O in W. For example, milk
(liquid fat dispersed in water), vanishing cream.
(ii) Water dispersed in oil (W/O type) : : In this emulsion, water is the dispersed phase
and oil is the dispersion medium. It is denoted by W/O or W in O. For example, butter,
cream.
Preparation of emulsion (Emulsification) : Emulsification is the process of preparation of
emulsion. Generally, an emulsion is prepared by a mixture of the immiscible liquid. To
prevent the separation of layers and to get the stable emulsion, a small quantity of the third
substance is added. This substance which stabilizes the emulsion is called emulsifier or
emulsifying agent.
The commonly used emulsifying agents are soaps, detergents and lyophilic colloids.
Casein, a lyophilic colloid present in milk, acts as an emulsifier as it forms a protective
layer around fat molecules dispersed in water. Hence milk is a fairly stable emulsion.
Function of emulsifier : The main function of emulsifying agents is to lower the
interfacial tension (surface tension) between oil and water and thus helps the intermixing
of two liquids.
For example, a molecule of a soap or detergent (emulsifier) gets concentrated at the
interface between oil and water. The polar end of the emulsifier is in water and non-polar
end is in oil.
Properties of emulsion :
(i) The size of particles of the dispersed phase of an emulsion is usually larger than in
sols.
(ii) Emulsions can be diluted with any amount of the dispersion medium.
(iii) The droplets in emulsions are often negatively charged and can be precipitated by
electrolytes.
(iv) Like colloidal particles, emulsions exhibit properties such as Tyndall effect, Brownian
movement (provided the particles are not too large), electrophoresis, coagulation, etc.
(v) Emulsions can be broken into constituent liquids (Coagulation) by heating, freezing,
centrifuging, chemical methods, etc.
 APPLICATIONS OF COLLOIDS :
High voltage Colloids are widely used in the industry.
electrode
(30000 volts Gases free (i) Electrical precipitation of smoke :
or more) from carbon
particles
 Smoke is a colloidal solution of solid particles such
as carbon, arsenic compounds, dust, etc. in air. The
smoke, before it comes out from the chimney,
passed through a chamber containing plates having
a charge opposite then smoke particles.
Smoke

Precipitated ash  The solid particles on coming in contact with these

plates lose their charge and get precipitated. The
Fig : Cottrell smoke precipitator precipitator is called Cottrell precipitator.
(ii) Purification of drinking water:
Alum is added to water to coagulate the suspended impurities and make water pure
for drinking purposes.

(iii) Medicines :
Most of the medicines are colloidal in nature.
Colloidal medicines are more effective because they have large surface area and
are therefore easily assimilated.
(iv) Tanning :

 Animal hides are colloidal in nature. When a hide, which has positively charged
particles, is soaked in tannin, which contains negatively charged colloidal
particles, mutual coagulation takes place. This results in the hardening of leather.
This process is termed as tanning.
 Chromium salts are also used in place of tannin.
(iv) Formation of delta:
River water is a colloidal solution of clay. Sea water contains a number of
electrolytes. When river water meets the sea water, the electrolytes present in
sea water coagulate the colloidal solution of clay resulting in its deposition with
the formation of delta.
Q.1 On adding 1mL solution of 10% NaCl to Q.2 20 litres of a negative sol required
10 ml gold sol in presence of 0.025 g 0.104 g BaCl2 for its coagulation.
starch so that coagulation is just Determine the coagulation value of
prevented then what will be gold electrolyte ?
number of starch ?
(1) 0.25 (2) 2.5 Sol.1
(3) 25 (4) 0.025 Moles of BaCl2 =
( )

Sol.1 1g = 1000 mg .
wt. of Starch = 25 mg Moles of BaCl2 = = 0.5 × 10–3 mol

𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐲𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐨𝐥 (𝒎𝒈) m moles of BaCl2 = 0.5 m moles

Gold no. =
𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐲𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐨𝐥 (𝒎𝑳)
20 L of Negative sol  0.5 m moles
×
Gold no. = = 25  1 L of Negative sol 
.
= 0.025
Q3. What is the correct sequence of the increasing
coagulation value of the following electrolyte for the
coagulation of ferric hydroxide solution :-
(I) Na3PO4 (II) KCI
(III) K2SO4 (IV) K4[Fe(CN)6]

(A) IV > I > III > II (B) II > III > I > IV
(C) I > II > III > IV (D) IV > III > II > I

Sol.
Ferric hydroxide solution have positive charge. So
order of coagulation value.

KCI > K2SO4 > Na3PO4 > K4[Fe(CN)6]

Charge coagulation value