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🧪 Chemistry  ·  Surface Chemistry  ·  NEET & JEE

Which statement correctly distinguishes a gel from a sol and an emulsion?

Answer: A gel has a liquid dispersed in a solid medium forming a semi-solid network, while a sol is a solid dispersed in a liquid, and an emulsion is liquid dispersed in liquid.

  • A A gel is instead described as a liquid dispersed throughout a continuous surrounding gas phase, while a true sol is a fine solid dispersed evenly throughout that same gas phase
  • B A gel has a liquid dispersed in a solid medium forming a semi-solid network, while a sol is a solid dispersed in a liquid, and an emulsion is liquid dispersed in liquid
  • C A gel and an emulsion are in fact said to be largely identical to one another in their overall phase composition and structure under most conditions encountered
  • D A gel is instead described as mainly containing a gaseous substance as its single dispersed phase, as frequently observed in practice in many documented cases

Correct answer: B. A gel has a liquid dispersed in a solid medium forming a semi-solid network, while a sol is a solid dispersed in a liquid, and an emulsion is liquid dispersed in liquid

Explanation: A gel (like jelly) is a liquid trapped in a solid colloidal network, a sol (like paint) is solid particles dispersed in liquid, and an emulsion (like milk) is liquid droplets dispersed in another liquid.

Adsorption Isotherm: x/m vs PressureP (pressure)x/mlow P: x/m ∝ Phigh P: saturation plateauAt high pressure, all surface sites are occupied - the curve flattens (monolayer saturation)

A typical adsorption isotherm: x/m (mass adsorbed per gram of adsorbent) rises steeply at low pressure, then flattens into a saturation plateau as the adsorbent surface fills up.

Concept context

Explore the chemistry that happens at interfaces, from catalysts that speed up industrial reactions to colloids like milk, smoke, and gels that surround us every day.

Read the full Surface Chemistry notes →