Which among the following is NOT a property of colloids?

Correct option is A

Correct Answer: (a) Colloid cannot scatter a beam of light passing through it.

• Colloids do scatter a beam of light, a phenomenon known as the Tyndall Effect.

• When a light beam passes through a colloidal solution, the light is scattered by the dispersed particles, making the path of light visible.

• So, saying a colloid cannot scatter light is incorrect.

• Key Properties of Colloids:

  1. Heterogeneous mixture – contains distinct phases (dispersed phase and dispersion medium).

  2. Tyndall Effect – visible scattering of light through colloids.

  3. Stable mixture – particles do not settle on standing.

  4. Particle size – between 1 nm and 1000 nm; cannot be seen with the naked eye.

• A colloid is a heterogeneous mixture: True – consists of more than one phase.

• They do not settle down when left undisturbed: True – colloids are stable.

• Due to too small size, individual particles cannot be seen with naked eyes: True – requires ultramicroscope to observe.