A suspension is a heterogeneous mixture in which particles are dispersed throughout a fluid and are large enough to settle out over time due to gravity.
- Example: Muddy water is a suspension, as the soil particles are dispersed throughout the water but settle at the bottom when left undisturbed.
A colloidal solution, or colloidal suspension, is a heterogeneous mixture in which particles are dispersed throughout a fluid but are smaller than those in a suspension, resulting in a stable dispersion.
- Example: Milk is a colloidal solution where fat globules are dispersed in water.
Dispersed Phase and Dispersed Medium
Dispersed Phase: This refers to the minor component in the mixture. It’s the component that is scattered or distributed throughout the mixture in the form of fine particles. These particles can be solid, liquid, or gas. The size range of particle of the Dispersed Phase is 1-100 nanometers (nm).
Dispersion Medium: This is the major component in the mixture. It’s the continuous phase in which the dispersed phase is suspended or distributed. The dispersion medium is usually a liquid or gas.
- Sol: A solid dispersed in a liquid (e.g., mud – clay particles in water)
- Emulsion: A liquid dispersed in another liquid (e.g., milk – fat droplets dispersed in water)
- Foam: A gas dispersed in a liquid (e.g., shaving cream – air bubbles in shaving cream)
- Aerosol: A solid or liquid dispersed in a gas (e.g., fog – water droplets dispersed in air)
