For a surface inactive substance(excessive concentration of solute per...
Understanding Surface Inactive Substances
When discussing surface inactive substances, we refer to solutes that do not significantly affect the surface properties of a solution even when present in high concentrations. Here's a detailed explanation of why the correct answer is "A) Negative."
Characteristics of Surface Inactive Substances
- Definition: Surface inactive substances are those that do not concentrate at the surface of a liquid. They remain uniformly distributed throughout the bulk of the solution.
- Impact on Surface Tension: These substances do not lower the surface tension of the liquid. In fact, their presence can lead to an increase in surface tension due to excessive solute concentration at the surface, which implies that their effect is negative.
Reason for Negative Value
- Excessive Concentration: When a solute is excessively concentrated at the interface, it disrupts the balance of surface molecules, often leading to a higher energy state of the surface.
- Thermodynamic Perspective: In thermodynamic terms, the presence of surface inactive substances can lead to a negative contribution to the Gibbs free energy change associated with adsorption at the surface, further supporting the idea of a negative effect.
Conclusion
In summary, the classification of surface inactive substances as having a negative effect stems from their inability to facilitate surface activity, leading to an increase in surface tension and a disruption of the surface equilibrium. Thus, the correct answer is indeed option "A) Negative."
For a surface inactive substance(excessive concentration of solute per...
For a surface inactive substance, the excessive concentration of solute per unit area of surface is:
- Negative: Surface inactive substances do not prefer to accumulate at the surface. They tend to remain in the bulk solution. The excessive concentration of solute, termed as surface excess, is negative because the concentration is lower at the surface compared to the bulk.