www.sakshieducation.

com

SURFACE CHEMISTRY
Short Answer Questions:
*1. What is catalysis? How is catalysis classified? Give two examples for each type of
catalysis?
Ans. A catalyst is the substance that increases the rate of chemical reaction to which it is added
without itself being consumed in the reaction. This phenomenon is known as catalysis.
Catalysis can be classified into two types. These are -
1. Homogeneous Catalysis: The catalysis in which the catalyst and the reactants are present
in the same phase is known as homogeneous catalysis.
Ex: a) conversion of carbon monoxide to Carbon dioxide in presence of NO
2CO ( g ) + O2 ( g ) ⎯⎯⎯
NO ( g )
→ 2CO2 ( g )

b) Catalytic oxidation of SO2 to SO3 in presence of oxides of nitrogen

2 SO2 ( g ) + O2 ( g ) ⎯⎯⎯
NO ( g )
→ 2 SO3 ( g )

2. Heterogeneous Catalysis: The catalysis in which the catalyst and the reactants are present
in different phases [states] is known as heterogeneous catalysis
Ex: a) in Haber’s process iron is used as catalyst
N 2 ( g ) + 3H 2 ( g ) ⎯⎯⎯
Fe ( s )
→ 2 NH 3 ( g )

b) In contact process platinum (or) vanadium pentoxide is used as a catalyst

2 SO2 ( g ) + O2 ( g ) ⎯⎯⎯→
Pt ( S ) or
P2O5
2 SO3 ( g )

*2. How are colloids classified on the basis of interaction between dispersed phase and
dispersion medium?
Ans. Basing on the affinity between dispersed phase and dispersion medium, colloidal solution are
classified into lyophilic Sols and lyophobic Sols
Lyophilic colloids: i) Colloidal solutions in which a great affinity exists between the
dispersed phase and dispersion medium are called as lyophilic sols.
(lyo = liquid, philic = affinity of love).
ii) These are solvent loving colloidal solutions
iii) They are irreversible colloids
iv)They are prepared by direct mixing of dispersed phase and dispersion medium

www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com

v) The particles are solvated

Ex: Starch, Protein, Polymer solutions
lyophobic sols: i) Colloidal solution in which little (or) no affinity exists between the
dispersed phase and dispersion medium is called lyophobic sols.
(lyo = liquid, phobic = hate)
ii) These are solvent hating colloidal solutions
iii) They are irreversible colloids
iv)They are not prepared by direct mixing of dispersed phase and dispersion medium
v) The particles are not solvated
Ex: Gold sol, metal sols, sols of metal sulphides and oxides etc.

*3. Compare and contrast the phenomenon of physiosorption and chemisorptions?

Ans. Physical adsorption: The adsorption in which physical or Van der Waals forces exist between
adsorbate molecules and adsorbent surface is known as physical adsorption or
physiosorption
Ex: Adsorption of H 2 or O2 on charcoal
Chemical adsorption: The adsorption in which chemical forces or chemical bonds exist
between adsorbate molecules and adsorbent surface is known as chemical adsorption or
chemisorptions
Ex: Adsorption H 2 on ‘Pt’ metal surface

www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com

S. No. Physisorption Chemisorption

1. It occurs due to van der waals’ It is formed by the formation of
forces chemical bonds.
2. It is not specific in nature It is highly specific in nature.
3. It is reversible in nature. It is irreversible.
4. Enthalpy of adsorption is low (appr. Enthalpy of adsorption is high (appr.
20 – 40 kJ mol–1). 80 – 240 kJ mol–1).
5. It depends on the nature of gas. It also depends on the nature of gas.
More easily liquefiable gases are Gases which can react with the
adsorbed readily. adsorbent show chemisorption.
6. Low temperature is favourable for High temperature is favourable for
physisorption. chemisorption.
7. No appreciable activation energy is High activation energy is sometimes
required. required.
8. It results into multimolecular layers It results into unimolecular layer.
on the adsorbent surface under high
pressured.

*4. What are emulsions? How are they classified? Describe the applications of emulsions?
Ans. Emulsions: i) A dispersion of finely divided liquid droplets in another liquid dispersion
medium is emulsion
ii) In emulsions one liquid is ‘water’ and other liquid is immiscible in water is called ‘oil’
Types of emulsions: emulsions are classified in to two types. These are (a) oil in water (o/w)
(b) water in oil (w/o)
a) Oil in water: In this type of emulsion the dispersed phase is oil (immiscible liquid) and
the dispersion medium is water
Ex: Milk, Liquid fat (oil) in water, vanishing cream: fat (oil) in water
b) Water in oil: In this type of emulsion the dispersed phase is water and dispersion medium
is oil (immiscible liquid)
Ex: Stiff grease: water in lubrication oil, Cold cream: water in fat
The process of separating the constituents of an emulsion is called deemulsification. Heating and
centrifugation are the two techniques used to destroy an emulsion.
Applications of emulsions are
i. A large number of pharmaceuticals are prepared in the form of lotions, creams and
ointments
ii. The concentration of sulphide ore by froth floatation process
iii. Emulsifying properties of soaps and detergents are used in washing clothes, crockery etc
www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com

iv. Digestion of fats in the intestine is facilitated by emulsification.

5. What are micelles? Discuss the mechanism of micelle formation and cleaning action of
soap?
Ans. ‘A colloidal sized particle (aggregate) formed in water by the association of simple
molecules each having a hydrophobic end and hydrophilic end is known as micelle
Ex: Concentrated soap solution is an associated colloid
Mechanism:
Cloths contain grease (or) fat. This is known as dirt. Dirt (or) grease forms an emulsion with
water used for cleaning but this emulsion is not stable. Soap functions as emulsifying agent
for agent for water dirt emulsion in the cleaning process. The main function of soap is to
convert the dirt (or) grease on the clothes in to large colloidal particles (micelles).
Soap (sodium stearate) dissolves in water to give Na + and stearate ions. The stearate ion
contain hydrophobic end (alkyl group end) called ‘Tail’ and contain a hydrophilic end
(carboxylate ion end) called ‘head’. The tail part dissolves the grease (or) dirt and forms the
micelle. The micelle is then removed by water in the cleaning process
C17 H 35COONa → C17 H 35COO − + Na +

6. What are colloidal solutions? Give example. Compare colloidal and true solutions?
Ans. Colloidal solution: A heterogeneous binary system in which particle size 1mμ − 1μ of the
dispersed phase are distributed in a continuous dispersion medium is called a colloidal
solution.
E.g.: 1. milk is a colloidal solution of liquid fat in water. Liquid fat is disperse phase
2. Starch in water is a colloidal solution. Starch is disperse phase

www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com

Property True Solutions Colloidal solution

Particle size < 1mμ 1mμ − 1μ

External appearance Very clear Opaque

Separation of solute Not possible Partially possible
Separation of solute & Not possible Possible
disperse phase by ultra
filtration
Settling of solute (or) Not possible Possible by centrifugation
dispersed phase
Diffusion particle Fast Slow
Tyndall effect Not shown Shown

7. State Hardy-schulze rule and Explain the following terms

i. peptization ii). Dialysis iii) Gold number
Ans. Hardy Schulze rule states that “The coagulating power of electrolyte is directly proportional to the
magnitude of charge on the active ions”.
In coagulating of a negative sol, the coagulating power of captions is in the order Al+3>Ba+2>Na+.
In coagulating of a positive sol, the coagulating power of anions is in the order
[Fe (CN)6]-4>PO4 -3>SO4 -2>Cl-
i. peptization: The process of converting a precipitate into colloidal solution by shaking with the
dispersion medium in the presence of a small amount of electrolyte is known as peptization and the
electrolyte used is called peptizing agent.
ii. Dialysis is the process of removing a dissolved substance from a colloidal solution by means of

diffusion through a suitable membrane. It is generally slow and is made faster by applying an emf
if the dissolved substance in the impure colloid is an electrolyte (Known as electro dialysis).
iii. Gold number: It is the number of milligrams of protective colloid which must be added to 10 ml

of given gold sol so that it is just prevented from coagulation by adding 1 ml of 10% NaCl solution.
The smaller the gold number, the higher is the protecting power of lyophilic colloids. Gold
number of Gelatin is 0.005-0.01, Haemoglobin is 0.03 and potato starch is 25.

www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com

8. Explain the following terms

i. Electrophoresis ii. Coagulation iii. Tyndall Effect.
Ans. (i) Electrophoresis: The movement of colloidal particles towards oppositely charged electrodes in the
presence of an electric field is called electrophoresis. If this movement is towards cathode then is
called cataphoresis.
(ii) Coagulation: The formation of aggregates or precipitates of colloidal particles by addition of a
suitable electrolyte is called coagulation.
(iii) Tyndall effect: When a beam of light is passed through a colloidal solution and the solution is
viewed at right angles to the passage of light, they show a mild to strong opalescence i.e the path of
beam of light is illuminated. This phenomenon is called Tyndall effect. It is due to scattering of light
by colloidal particles.

9. Name the four positively charged sols and negatively charged sols?
Ans. The colloidal solution in which the dispersed phase particles carry positive charge is called
positively charged sol
E.g.: i) Hydrated metallic oxide sols. E.g.: Al2O3 .xH 2O , CrO3 .xH 2O and Fe2O3 , xH 2O , etc
ii) Basic dye stuffs. E.g.: methylene blue sol
iii) Haemoglobin (blood)
iv)Oxides. E.g.: TiO2 sol
The colloidal solution in which the dispersed phase particles carry negative change is called
negatively charged sol.
E.g.: i) Metal sols. E.g.: copper, silver, gold sols
ii) Metallic sulphide sols. E.g.: As2 S3 , Sb3 S3 , CdS sols
iii) Acid dye stuff sols. E.g.: eosin, congo red sols
iv)Sols of starch, gum, gelatin, clay, charcoal, etc

10. Describe some features of catalysis by zeolites?

Ans. Zeolites are shape selective catalysts having honey comb like structure. They are microporous
aluminosilicates with AlOSi framework and general formula M x/n [AlO)2x(siO2)y/mH2O.
The reactions taking place in Zeolites depend upon the size and shape of the reactant and product
molecules as well as upon the pores and cavities of the Zeolites. Zeolites are widely used as catalysts

www.sakshieducation.com
 www.sakshieducation.com

in petrochemical industries for cracking of hydrocarbons and isomerisation. They are also used for
removing permanent hardness of water.
E.g.: ZSM-5 is a catalyst used in petroleum industry
ZMS−5
Alcohols ⎯⎯⎯⎯
Dehydratin
→ Gasoline (Petrol)

Very Short Answer Questions

1. What is collodion?
Ans. 4% solution of nitrocellulose in a mixture of alcohol and ether is called collodion.

2. What causes brownian movement in colloidal dispersion?

Ans. Unbalanced bombardment of the particles of dispersed phase by molecules of dispersion medium
causes. Brownian motion. This stabilizes the sol.

3. How do emulsifying agents stabilize the emulsion?

Ans. These agents stabilize the emulsion by forming an interfacial layer between suspended particles and
the dispersion medium.

4. Why are some medicines more effective in the colloidal form?

Ans. Because they have large surface area so easily assimilated in the body.

5. Why do we add alum to purify water?

Ans. Alum coagulates the colloidal impurities present in water, so that these get settle down and remove
by decantation or filtration.

6. What are the factors that influence the adsorption of a gas on a solid?
Ans. The factors that influence the adsorption of a gas on a solid are
i) The nature of the gas (ii) Surface area of adsorbent (iii) Pressure (IV) Temperature
(v) Activation of adsorbent.

7. Explain the terms aerosol and hydrosol with example?

Ans. A colloidal solution in which dispersion medium is a gas is called an Aerosol.
E.g.: Fog, mist, cloud.
A colloidal solution in which dispersion medium is water is called a hydrosol
E.g.; Starch sol, gold sol.
www.sakshieducation.com