The larger size of colloidal particles leads to enhanced scattering of light, making the path of a beam of light passing through a colloidal solution visible. In contrast, true solutions, with smaller particles, do not exhibit this visible scattering, rendering the light’s path less discernible.
Why does the path of a beam of light passing through a colloidal solution become visible, unlike in a true solution?
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The visibility of a light path in a colloidal solution is due to the Tyndall effect. Unlike true solutions, colloidal solutions contain larger particles that scatter light, making the path of the beam visible. When light passes through the colloidal particles, it undergoes scattering, making the otherwise invisible path visible. In contrast, true solutions have particles too small to cause significant scattering, resulting in a transparent appearance. The Tyndall effect is a phenomenon where light interacts with dispersed particles, allowing the visualization of the beam’s path in colloidal solutions.