Lyophilic and lyophobic sols differ fundamentally in their physical properties compared to their res — Surface Chemistry Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Lyophilic (solvent-loving) sols undergo extensive solvation (hydration in water), where the dispersed particles trap a large amount of the dispersion medium. This extensive interaction vastly increases the viscosity compared to the pure solvent. Lyophobic sols have little to no affinity for the solvent, so their viscosity remains nearly identical to the pure solvent.