Tyndall effect

E571557

The Tyndall effect is the scattering of light by particles in a colloid or fine suspension, which makes beams of light visible in mediums like fog, smoke, or dusty air.

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Statements (37)

Predicate Object
instanceOf light scattering phenomenon
optical phenomenon
causedBy elastic scattering of light
contrastedWith true solution transparency
dependsOn particle size
wavelength of light
describedAs light scattering by particles larger than molecules but small enough to remain suspended
discoveredBy John Tyndall NERFINISHED
discoveryCentury 19th century
example headlight beams visible in fog
sunlight rays visible through forest mist
visible projector beam in a dusty room
field colloid science
optics
physical chemistry
hasAlternativeName Tyndall scattering NERFINISHED
involves scattering of light
makesVisible path of a light beam
namedAfter John Tyndall NERFINISHED
observedIn colloidal solutions
dusty air
fog
smoke
occursIn colloids
fine suspensions
relatedTo Mie scattering NERFINISHED
Rayleigh scattering NERFINISHED
requires dispersed particles
heterogeneous mixture
transparent or translucent medium
strongerFor shorter wavelengths of visible light
usedFor distinguishing colloids from true solutions
usedIn aerosol studies
colloid characterization
environmental monitoring
optical diagnostics
visibleWhen light passes through a turbid medium

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John Tyndall knownFor Tyndall effect