Class Notes - The Tyndall Effect
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moro_sisClass Notes - The Tyndall Effect
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moro_sisClass Notes: The Tyndall Effect
1. Introduction
The Tyndall effect is a phenomenon in which light is scattered by particles in a colloid or in
very fine suspensions, making the path of the light beam visible. It is named after the
19th-century physicist John Tyndall, who first studied it in detail.
2. Definition
The Tyndall effect is the scattering of light by particles in a colloid or fine
suspension, which makes a light beam visible when it passes through such a
medium.
3. Key Characteristics
Feature Description
Medium Occurs in colloids, not true solutions
Visibility The beam of light becomes visible in the colloid
Light Type More prominent with shorter wavelengths (blue/violet light)
Direction Scattering occurs in all directions, but more in the forward direction
Particle Particles must be in the range of 1–1000 nm to scatter light
Size effectively
4. Explanation
When a beam of light passes through a colloidal solution:
● The colloid particles are large enough to interfere with the light.
● The light is scattered by these particles.
● This scattered light allows us to see the path of the beam within the solution.
This effect does not occur in true solutions because the solute particles are too small to
scatter light.
5. Conditions for the Tyndall Effect
● The size of dispersed particles should be sufficiently large to scatter light.
● The difference in refractive index between the dispersion medium and dispersed
phase should exist.
● The medium should not absorb the scattered light completely.
6. Examples
Example Tyndall Effect Notes
Seen?
Colloidal sulfur in water Yes Classic example of a colloid showing the
Tyndall effect
Milk Yes Contains fat globules (colloid), scatters light
Dusty air in sunlight Yes Scattering of sunlight by dust particles in the
air
Salt solution or sugar No True solutions; no scattering; no Tyndall
solution effect
Fog or mist in Yes Water droplets scatter car headlight beams
headlights
7. Applications of the Tyndall Effect
1. Distinguishing between colloids and solutions:
○ True solutions do not scatter light → No Tyndall effect
○ Colloids scatter light → Tyndall effect observed
2. Optical instruments:
○ Used in devices like nephelometers to measure particle concentration by
observing light scattering.
3. Blue color of the sky:
○ Though technically Rayleigh scattering is responsible, it is conceptually related to
the Tyndall effect.
4. Safety beams in theaters or concerts:
○ Laser beams become visible due to scattering by dust/smoke in the air.
8. Related Concepts
Concept Description
Rayleigh Scattering of light by particles much smaller than the wavelength of light
Scattering (e.g., air molecules)
Brownian Motion Random motion of colloidal particles due to collisions with water
molecules
Colloid A heterogeneous mixture where particle size ranges from 1 nm to 1000
nm
9. Visualization
You can perform a simple demonstration:
● Shine a flashlight through a glass of milk diluted with water.
● Observe the beam from the side: it becomes visible due to the Tyndall effect.
Try the same with salt water – the beam will not be visible.
10. Summary
● The Tyndall effect helps us understand light scattering in colloids.
● It is a diagnostic tool for identifying colloidal systems.
● Requires larger particle sizes and difference in refractive indices.
● It has practical applications in scientific measurement, environmental science, and
everyday observations.
