What is most accepted reason for the presence of charge on colloids?

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Understanding Colloids**: Colloids are mixtures where tiny particles are dispersed throughout a continuous medium. These particles can be solid, liquid, or gas and are typically in the size range of 1 nm to 1 µm.

2. **Charge on Colloids**: The presence of charge on colloidal particles is significant because it affects their stability and behavior in a dispersion. Charged colloids can repel each other, preventing aggregation and maintaining stability.

3. **Reason for Charge**: The most accepted reason for the presence of charge on colloids is the **preferential adsorption of common ions** from the dispersion medium. This means that certain ions present in the surrounding liquid tend to adhere to the surface of the colloidal particles.

4. **Mechanism of Charge Development**: When these common ions adsorb onto the surface of the colloidal particles, they impart a net charge to the particles. This can occur due to various interactions, such as electrostatic forces or chemical bonding.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the preferential adsorption of common ions from the dispersion medium is the primary reason for the development of charge on colloids, which plays a crucial role in their stability and interactions.

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