What tool is used to observe effects of electrical fields on charged colloids?

The zeta meter is a specialized instrument that measures the zeta potential of colloidal particles, which indicates the degree of stability or flocculation of these particles in a solution. This potential is influenced by electrical fields and provides insight into how charged colloids will behave under various conditions, particularly in terms of their repulsion and aggregation.

By measuring the zeta potential, one can understand how electrical fields affect the charge distribution on the surface of particles, which is crucial for applications in water treatment, colloid chemistry, and materials science. A high zeta potential typically suggests greater stability against aggregation, while a low zeta potential may indicate a tendency for the colloids to clump together.

The other tools listed, while useful in their own right, do not specifically measure the effects of electrical fields on charged colloids. For instance, colloid analyzers primarily focus on sizing and concentration of colloids rather than electrical behavior. Conductivity meters measure the electrical conductivity of a solution, which does not directly relate to zeta potential, and particle size counters provide information about particle sizes without addressing the interaction effects influenced by electrical charges.