Question

When scattering of light takes place in a colloidal solution the particles in it scatters light but does light pass through the particles which scatter it and move to the next particle or does the particle of the colloid absorb light?

Answer 1

Hint: Colloids or colloidal solution is the mixture of insoluble particles termed as dispersed phase, is suspended through another substance known as dispersion medium. Some examples of colloids are blood, clouds, gel, etc.

Complete answer:
Tyndall effect: When a beam of light is passed through a colloidal solution, then dispersion of light takes place. This phenomenon is known as Tyndall effect. The amount of scattering of light depends on the frequency and intensity of light as well as density of particles in the colloidal solution.
The light beam in the colloidal solution, collides with the insoluble particles and deviates from its normal path because these particles do not allow the light beam to completely pass through the solution and hence scattering of light takes place. Greater the size of insoluble particles, the greater will the scattering of light take place.
Hence, Particles of colloids do not absorb light.

Additional Information-
The Tyndall effect can be observed in our day-to-day activities which are as follows:
The colour of an eye appears to be of blue colour is due to Tyndall scattering of light through a translucent layer over the iris.
The light beam of the vehicle's headlight is visible in fog due to Tyndall effect.
It is used to determine the size of particles in aerosols.

Note:
Not all suspensions show Tyndall effect. The suspension in which the size of colloid particles is small, then only it will show this effect. For example, scattering of light due to dust particles is not considered as a Tyndall effect because the size of particles is too large.