Electrokinetic Phenomena Classification

Electrokinetic phenomenon arises when the mobile portion of the diffuse double layer and an external electric field interact in the viscous shear layer near the charged surface. If an electric field is applied tangentially along a charged surface, then the electric field exerts a force on the charge in the diffuse layer. This layer is part of the electrolyte solution, and migration of the mobile ions will carry the solvent with them and cause it to flow. On the other hand, an electric field is created if the charged surface and diffuse part of the double layer are made to move relative to each other. The four electrokinetic phenomena broadly classified are 

Electroosmosis The movement of liquid relative to a stationary charged surface (e.g., a capillary or porous plug) by an applied electric field (i.e., the complement of electrophoresis) 

Electrophoresis The movement of charged surface plus attached material (i.e., dissolved or suspended material) relative to stationary liquid by an applied electric field. 

Sedimentation potential The electric field created when charged particles move relative to stationary hquid (i.e., the opposite of electrophoresis). 

Streaming potential The electric field created when liquid is made to flow along a stationary charged surface (the opposite of elecroosmosis). 

---