Question

Explain the following terms giving one example for each:

(i) Micelles

(ii) Aerosol

Answer 1

(i) Micelles is an organized auto-assembly formed in a liquid and composed of amphiphilic macromolecules. Surfactant molecules dispersed in a liquid colloid. A typical micelle in aqueous solution forms an aggregate with the hydrophilic "head" regions in contact with surrounding solvent, sequestering the hydrophobic single-tail regions in the micelle centre. This phase is caused by the packing behavior of single-tail lipids in a bilayer. For example when greasy dirt is mixed with soapy water, the soap molecules arrange themselves into tiny clusters called micelles.

(ii) An aerosol is a colloid of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas. Aerosols can be natural or artificial. Examples of natural aerosols are fog, forest exudates and geyser steam. Examples of artificial aerosols are haze, dust, particulate air pollutants and smoke.