Question

Explain Tyndall effect.

Answer 1

• The Tyndall effect is the scattering of light as a light beam passes through a colloid. The individual suspension particles scatter and reflect light, making the beam visible.
  
• The amount of scattering depends on the frequency of the light and the densityof the particles. As with Rayleigh scattering, blue light is scattered more strongly than red light by the Tyndall effect. Another way to look at it is that longer wavelength light is transmitted, while shorter wavelength light is reflected by scattering.
  
• Shining a flashlight beam into a glass of milk is an excellent demonstration of the Tyndall effect. You might want to use skim milk or else dilute the milk with a bit of water so you can see the effect of the colloid particles on the light beam.
• An example of how the Tyndall effect scatters blue light may be seen in the blue color of smoke from motorcycles or two-stroke engines.