Question

Write any four differences between lyophilic sols and lyophobic sols

Answer 1

Hint: Sols are basically colloidal mixtures where the dispersed phase is a solid and the dispersion medium is a liquid. These sols can be differentiated into main types such as: lyophilic sols and lyophobic sols.

Complete step by step answer:
Before we move forward with the solution of the question, we must first understand some basic important concepts.
When discussing the term lyophobic sols, let us break down the word. ‘Lyo’ means solvent while ‘phobic’ means ‘scared of’. If we put these words together, then it means ‘scared of solvent’. This can be simply explained as a sol which is scared of or repels any solvent.
On the other hand, when discussing the term lyophilic sols, let us break down the word. ‘Lyo’ means solvent while ‘philic’ means ‘loving’. If we put these words together, then it means ‘solvent loving’. This can be simply explained as a sol which is readily acceptable of mixing with another solvent.

Lyophilic sol	Lyophobic sol
Under an ultramicroscope, the particles of lyophilic sols are not detectable	Under an ultramicroscope, the particles of lyophobic sols are detectable
In comparison to the dispersion medium, the viscosity of the lyophilic sols is relatively higher	In comparison to the dispersion medium, the viscosity of the lyophobic sols is relatively lower
Lyophilic sols are much hydrated in comparison to lyophobic sols	Lyophobic sols are less hydrated in comparison to lyophilic sols
Lyophilic sols are reversible in nature, which means that they can be disintegrated in their dispersed phase and medium.	Lyophobic sols are irreversible in nature, which means that they cannot be disintegrated in their dispersed phase and medium.
The stability of Lyophilic sols is higher than lyophobic sols	The stability of lyophobic sols is lesser than lyophilic sols.

Note:
Some examples of lyophilic sols are gum, gelatin, starch, proteins, rubber, etc. On the other hand, some examples of lyophobic sols are metal in water, ferric hydroxide sol, sulfur etc.