Question

When scattering of light takes place in a colloidal solution the particles in it scatter light but did light passes through the particle which scatters it and move to next particle or does the particle of the colloid absorbs light?

Answer 1

Scattering of light :

• When sunlight enters the earth's atmosphere, the atoms and molecules of various gases in the air absorb the light.
• These atoms then re-emit light in all directions. This is referred to as light scattering.
• Scatterers are atoms or particles that disperse light.

Tyndall effect :

• When seen at sharp angles to the passage of light, the Tyndall effect is the scattering of light by the atoms suspended in the colloidal solution. It is only observed when-
• The dispersed particle's diameter is not much shorter than the light used.
• The refractive indices of the dispersed phase and dispersed medium differ significantly.
• This phenomenon was exploited to create an ultramicroscope that could distinguish between real solutions and colloids.
• The Tyndall effect is caused by particles in a colloidal or an extremely tiny solution scattering light.
• The dissolved particles are too tiny to deflect light as it passes through a real solution.
• However, because the dispersed particles of a colloid are bigger, they deflect light.
• The dispersing of visible light by colloidal particles is known as the Tyndall effect.
• Every colloid is made up of two components: colloidal particles and a dispersing solvent.
• The substance wherein the colloidal particles are disseminated is known as the dispersion medium.