The Mystery of the Arsenious Sulphide Sol
Imagine you are looking at a beaker filled with a slightly cloudy, yellowish liquid. This is the arsenious sulphide sol, chemically written as As2S3. But there is a hidden secret on the surface of these tiny colloidal particles. During their formation, they preferentially adsorb sulphide ions (S2−). This gives the entire colloidal particle a net negative charge.
Because all the particles carry the same negative charge, they repel each other. This electrostatic repulsion is what keeps the colloid stable and prevents the particles from clumping together and settling down.
The Art of Coagulation
Now, suppose we want to destroy this stability. We want the particles to clump together and precipitate out. This process is called coagulation or flocculation. To do this, we need to neutralize that negative charge. How do we neutralize a negative charge? By introducing a positive charge, of course! We need to add an electrolyte that provides cations (positively charged ions).
But not all cations are created equal. This is where the brilliant Hardy-Schulze Rule comes into play. The rule states a very intuitive principle: The greater the valency (charge) of the flocculating ion added, the greater is its power to cause precipitation.
Think of it like paying off a debt. If the colloidal particle has a large negative debt, a cation with a +3 charge pays it off much faster than a cation with a +1 charge.
Analyzing the Contenders
Let's look at the salt solutions provided in the options and see what kind of "currency" (cations) they bring to the table:
BaCl2 dissociates to give Ba2+ ions.
AlCl3 dissociates to give Al3+ ions.
Na3PO4 dissociates to give Na+ ions.
NaCl dissociates to give Na+ ions.
The Final Verdict
We are looking for the most effective coagulating agent for our negatively charged As2S3 sol. According to the Hardy-Schulze rule, we need the cation with the highest positive charge.
Comparing the charges:
The Aluminum ion (Al3+) carries the highest charge. Therefore, it has the maximum coagulating power. It will neutralize the negative sol most rapidly and effectively.
Thus, the salt solution containing Al3+, which is AlCl3, is the correct answer.