Question

How are solutions different from colloids and suspensions?

Answer 1

A solution is a homogenous mixture of substances with very small particles. It means that it has same properties throughout the mixture. Example of solution is a mixture of sugar and water in a glass, where sugar is approximately 5% sugar in 95% water. This ratio of mixing is carried out all over the glass. When light is passed through a solution, it will not obstruct the light because they have small particles, instead light will pass the container.

On the other hand, a colloid is a heterogeneous mixture that contain medium-sized particles.  When colloid mixture is shined by light, the light does not passed through a colloid and the light is scattered. A good example is milk and Jell-O.

Nevertheless, a suspension is also a heterogeneous mixture that have large particles. When left standing, particles settle into layers within the container. This is a result of having large particles; the gravity pulls them out of the solution. A muddy water describes the characteristic of suspension for the dirt would settle to the bottom of the container.

Therefore, colloids and suspensions are special types of heterogeneous mixtures. In order to be a solution, a mixture must have very small particles evenly distributed, so that the mixture has the same properties throughout. Meanwhile, colloids and suspensions have particles that are too big to be considered a solution.