Why lyophilic colloids do not show tyndall effect?

1. Tyndall effect occurs due to scattering of light by the colloidal particles.
2. Scattering occurs to a large extent when there is difference between the refractive indexes of the dispersed phase and dispersion medium.
3. If difference is more the scattering is pronounced and vice versa.
4. In the case of lyophilic colloids there is not much difference in the refractive index of the two,so scattering is very less and Tyndall effect is almost unobservable in such cases.

  • 3
Tyndall Effect occurs because light is scattered by particles present in colloidal solution. The intensity of the scattered light depends on the difference between the refractive indices of the dispersed phase and the dispersion medium. Greater is the difference, greater the intensity of light.
In case of lyophilic solution, the colloidal particles are highly solvated, which results into lower difference in refractive index of two phases and that is the reason why in lyophillic solution, Tyndall effect is not pronounced.
  • 1
What are you looking for?