When a beam of light is passed through a colloidal solution, the light is
A
scattered
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B
absorbed
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C
refracted
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D
reflected
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Solution
The correct option is A
scattered
Explanation for the correct option:
(A) scattered: When a beam of light gets deviated from its original path and gets scattered in various directions on hitting the particles in the medium, it is known as scattering of light.
Tyndall effect: When the particles can scatter a beam of light passing through them and make the path of light visible.
The light is scattered when light collides with the colloidal particles and deviates from its normal straight line path.
This effect is shown by colloids and some suspensions in which particles are very fine.
Solutions do not show this effect as the size of particles is so small that they cannot scatter the light.
This scattering makes the path of the light beam visible, as illustrated below.
Explanation for the incorrect options:
(B) absorbed: When a ray of light is absorbed by any object, it does not travel to the other side of the object. This is observed in the case of opaque objects.
(C) refracted: When a ray of light changes its direction on travelling from one medium to the other, it is called as refraction. Example: light entering into water from air or vice-versa.
(D) reflected: Reflection of light occurs when a ray of light bounces back after hitting a surface. It is observed when light hits some polished or a shiny surface.
