Page 2 - 3. Lesson Note-Colloids and their properties

Tyndall effect: It is the phenomenon in which the particles in a colloid scatter the
beams of light that are directed at them. This effect is exhibited by all colloidal
solutions and some very fine suspensions.

Examples of Tyndall effect:

• Milk is a colloid that contains globules of fat and protein. When a beam of light
is directed at a glass of milk, the light is scattered. This is a great example of
the Tyndall effect.

• When a torch is switched on in a foggy environment, the path of the light
becomes visible. In this scenario, the water droplets in the fog are responsible
for the light scattering.
• Opalescent glass has a bluish appearance when viewed from the side.
However, orange-coloured light emerges when light is shined through the
glass
• The sunlight coming from the canopy of forest is visible due to Tyndall effect.

Applications of Tyndall effect:Tyndall effect is used to distinguish between true
solutions and colloids