Question

The movement of colloidal particle under the influence of electric field is called (a) electro dialysis (b) electro osmosis (c) electrolysis (d) electrophoresis

Short answer

The movement of colloidal particles under the influence of an electric field is called electrophoresis.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Terminology

First, let's break down the term **'movement of a colloidal particle'**. In the context of chemistry, colloidal particles are tiny particles that are dispersed in another medium. When we mention these particles moving under the influence of an electric field, we're referring to the movement caused by positive or negative charges acting on these particles.

Analyzing the Options

We have the following options: 1. **Electro dialysis** - This refers to the movement of ions through a membrane, typically used to purify solutions. 2. **Electro osmosis** - This is the movement of a liquid or solvent through a porous material under the influence of an electric field. 3. **Electrolysis** - This process involves the chemical change, especially decomposition, produced in an electrolyte by an electric current. 4. **Electrophoresis** - This involves the movement of dispersed particles relative to a fluid under the influence of a spatially uniform electric field.

Matching Definition to Options

We need to find the option that matches the definition of 'movement of a colloidal particle under the influence of electric field'. Based on the description: - **Electrophoresis** matches perfectly, as it exactly describes the movement of charged colloidal particles in an electric field. - The other options do not directly deal with colloidal particle movement in the presence of an electric field.

Confirming the Correct Choice

Given that electrophoresis is the process by which colloidal particles move under the influence of an electric field, we can confirm that among the provided choices, (d) electrophoresis is the correct answer.

Key concepts

Colloidal Particles

Colloidal particles are tiny solids or droplets that do not settle and cannot be easily filtered from their surrounding medium, which is often a liquid. They are an essential part of chemistry, especially when studying mixtures. These particles are larger than most molecules but small enough to remain evenly distributed throughout their medium without precipitating out.
Colloids can be naturally occurring, like fog or milk, or synthetic, created through various chemical processes. The stability of colloidal particles is a critical factor, and it can be influenced by temperature, the presence of salts, and other conditions that affect the surrounding medium. Understanding colloidal systems helps in various applications, from food production to pharmaceuticals, and plays a significant role in the field of material science.

• They range in size from 1 nanometer to 1 micrometer.
• Colloids can be found in all states of matter: solids (e.g., smoke), liquids (e.g., milk), and gases (e.g., foam).
• The interaction among these particles and their surrounding medium is key in many chemical and physical processes.

Electric Field

An electric field is a region around a charged particle or object where an electric force is exerted on other charged particles. This concept is fundamental to electromagnetism, one of the fundamental forces of nature.
Electric fields arise from electric charges or changing magnetic fields and are described by the field's strength and direction. They influence the behavior of charged particles in the field, causing movement or exerting force, such as in the case of electrophoresis.
Key characteristics of an electric field include:

• It is represented by lines of force that point away from positive charges and towards negative charges, showing the direction a positive test charge would move.
• The strength of the field is proportional to the amount of charge and inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the charge.
• Electric fields can exist in vacuum, air, or any dielectric medium, affecting the movement and behavior of charged particles.

Charged Particles

Charged particles are atoms or molecules that possess an electric charge, either positive or negative. This charge results from the loss or gain of electrons. Charged particles are fundamental to many physical phenomena and applications in physics and chemistry.
Charged particles play a crucial role in processes like conduction, chemical reactions, and biological interactions. For example, electrons, protons, and ions are all charged particles that interact through electromagnetic forces.
Key points to understand about charged particles include:

• They are subject to forces when placed in an electric field, causing them to accelerate.
• This principle is used not only in electrophoresis but also in electroplating, battery technology, and more.
• The behavior of these particles under electrical influence is crucial for understanding and designing electronic circuits and systems.

Electrochemistry

Electrochemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the relationship between electricity and chemical reactions. It involves the study of chemical processes that cause electrons to move, which is the basis for generating electrical current.
This field is vital for understanding how batteries work, how electrolysis can break down substances, and how chemical energy can be converted into electrical energy and vice versa. Electrochemistry helps in developing new technologies in energy conversion and storage, and it informs the principles behind processes like corrosion and electroplating.
Core aspects of electrochemistry include:

• Understanding redox reactions, where oxidation and reduction occur simultaneously.
• Studying electrochemical cells, which create a flow of electrons through an external circuit.
• Exploring the principles behind electrolytes and their role in conducting electric current through solutions.
• The implications of electrochemistry stretch into various fields, including environmental science, medicine, and materials engineering.