Theory 27/Solvation & interfaces/Colloidal stability
Stability Is Repulsion Against Attraction
The claim
Whether a colloid stays dispersed is set by the ratio of electrostatic repulsion to van der Waals attraction, so a small change in ionic strength can flocculate a stable suspension.
01Mechanism
Screening reduces repulsion; the ratio determines whether the barrier survives.
02Prediction
Stability should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Stability tracking charge alone would remove screening.