The Tyndall effect explains the phenomenon of scattering of light by the colloidal particles in its path that results in the pattern of bright glowing cones in the fluid. The Brownian Motion is related to the phenomenon of random motion of colloidal particles in the fluid.
These are the widespread phenomenon that can be observed easily, but only in colloids as these properties can not be observed in True solutions or Suspension.
True solutions are the homogenous mixture of two or more substances, Suspension is the heterogeneous mixture of components with different sizes, whereas Colloids are said as the intermediate of the suspension and true solution, as it is the heterogeneous mixtures which carry the particles with a size between 1-1000nm.
As per the language of chemistry, When two or more homogenous substances are mixed in a specific amount and can be mixed up to the certain limit of solubility are known as solutions. The term solution is not only applicable to liquids, but it covers gases and solids also.
In this post, we will be highlighting the points on which the two terms, Tyndall effect and Brownian Motion differs. We will also provide a brief description of them.
Content: Tyndall Effect Vs Brownian Motion
Comparison Chart
| Basis for Comparison | Tyndall effect | Brownian Motion |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | The phenomenon of scattering of light like a light beam that passes through a fluid (colloids) is known as the Tyndall effect. | The random movement of particles in a fluid (colloids) is the Brownian motion, and it occurs due to the collisions of the particles. |
| First observed by | It was first described by John Tyndall. | The Botanist Robert Brown first observed it. |
| Property | Optical Property. | Kinetic Property. |
| Reason of Occurrence | Due to the smaller size of the particles, they get scattered instead of reflecting the light. | It occurs due to the unequal bombardments of the particles by the molecules of fluid. |
| Observation | It explains the scattering of light by particles. | It explains the movement of particles in a fluid. |
| Can be monitor by | Tyndall effect can be observed by the passing a light beam through a fluid. | The Brownian motion or the motion of the molecules can be observed by the use of a light microscope. |
| Affected By | Tyndall effect can be affected by the density of particle and frequency of the light beam. | Brownian motion can be affected by the factors which hinder the motion of the particle in a fluid. |
| Example | The beam of headlights that are visible in fogs is due to the Tyndall effect. | Diffusion is any fluid. |
Definition of Tyndall Effect
The effect in any fluid (colloids), where the lights get scattered due to the presence of the colloidal particles in the fluid and thus the path of the light is visible. This effect is not noticeable in a true solution. So this phenomenon is also used to detect whether the solution is true or a colloid.
So we can say that such solutions that consist of scattered particles like dust, or any micro-particles, the light instead of travelling in a straight line, it gets scattered and causes visible light beam and the effect is known as Tyndall effect as the ‘John Tyndall‘ first observed it.
The Tyndall effect is the easy way to find out that the solution is true or a colloid, by just observing the light. When the light passes directly through the solution, it is the true solution, while if the light gets scattered in all directions, in the dispersion phase of a solution, then it is colloidal.
When is light is passed through milk and water; milk being the colloidal solution the light gets reflected in all the directions in the fluid, whereas light passes through the water without scattering as it is the true solution.
The length of the scattering depends on the density of the particles and the frequency of light. It has been observed that blue light gets more scattered than the red light; thus, we can say that shorter wavelength light is reflected, while longer-wavelength light is transmitted by scattering.
Definition of Brownian Motion
Brownian Motion can be understood by performing a simple experiment; where we drop or put some tiny particles in any fluid and then observed in a microscope. We will observe some zig-zag movement of the particles. These motion of the particles is due to the collision between the particles present in the fluid or gas.
Brownian was first observed by the botanist ‘Robert Brown‘.The movement of particles from a higher region to the lower region is Diffusion, and macroscopically can be considered as an example of the Brownian motion.
Diffusion of the pollutants in air or water, the motion of the pollen grains on still water are also some examples of the Brownian motion. This occurs due to the collision of the atoms or molecules present in the colloidal solution. This motion is also called as “pedesis” arose from the Greek word “leaping”.
Key Differences Between the Tyndall Effect and Brownian Motion
Given below are the essential points to exhibit the differences between the Tyndall effect and the Brownian motion:
- The phenomenon of scattering of light when a light beam passes through a fluid (colloid) is known as Tyndall effect, while the random movement of particles in a fluid (colloid) is the Brownian motion, it occurs due to the collisions of the particles.
- The John Tyndall first described the Tyndall effect, The Botanist Robert Brown first observed Brownian motion.
- In Tyndall effect, the light scattered because of the smaller size of the particles known as colloidal particles. Brownian motion occurs due to the unequal bombardments or collision of the particles by the molecules of fluid (colloid).
- Tyndall effect can be observed by the passing a light beam through a fluid (colloid), while one can see the Brownian motion or the motion of the molecules by the light microscope.
- Tyndall effect can be affected by the density of particle and frequency of the light beam, and on the contrary, the Brownian motion can be affected by the factors which hinder the motion of the particle in a fluid.
Conclusion
In this article, we came to that at what points the Tyndall Effect, and Brownian Motion varies, we also came to know about the colloids and how they differ from true solution and suspensions.
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