NCERT Solutions for Class 9th Science Chapter 5 .5 Tyndall Effect — Activity 5.9

Book page 885 Updated on2026-09-08

Q1.
Complete Table 5.1 and review what you have learnt about solutions, suspensions and colloids.
Answer

Table 5.1: Properties of different types of mixtures

S. No.PropertySolutionSuspensionColloid
1.Nature (homogeneous / heterogeneous)HomogeneousHeterogeneousHeterogeneous, though it looks homogeneous
2.Particle sizeLess than 1 nmMore than 1000 nm1 – 1000 nm
3.VisibilityParticles not visible; the mixture is transparentParticles visible to the naked eyeParticles not visible; the mixture looks uniform
4.Separation by filtrationCannot be separatedCan be separated — leaves a residueCannot be separated
5.SettlingDoes not settleSettles on standing (sedimentation)Does not settle
6.Tyndall effectNot shownShownShown

Examples: solution — salt or sugar in water, vinegar, brass; suspension — chalk powder in water, muddy water, sand in water; colloid — milk, blood, smoke, ice cream, cloud.

The single idea behind all six rows: particle size. Below 1 nm the particles are so small that they neither settle, nor get caught by filter paper, nor scatter light — everything about a solution follows. Above 1000 nm they are heavy enough to settle, big enough to be trapped by filter paper and visible to the eye. In between, a colloid inherits half of each list: it behaves like a solution when you filter it or let it stand, and like a suspension when you shine a beam of light through it.
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