Question

Why do colloidal solutions exhibit Tyndall effect?

Answer 1

Colloidal solutions exhibit the Tyndall effect because the size of colloidal particles is comparable to the wavelength of visible and ultraviolet light. These particles scatter the light as it passes through the solution, making the path of the beam visible as a bluish cone of scattered light. This scattering distinguishes colloidal solutions from true solutions, where particles are too small to scatter light effectively. Thus, the Tyndall effect arises due to light scattering by colloidal particles.