Question

What kind of mixture is a solution a suspension? a colloid?

Answer 1

Mixtures are combinations of several substances. Each of the substances retains its physical properties. There are no new substances created. This is in contrast to a chemical reaction in which two or more reactants make new products.

There are two types of mixtures. The first kind of mixture is a homogenous mixture. Homogenous mixtures are uniform in the ratio of the combination of substances. throughout. All solutions are homogenous mixtures. Colloids (such as mile) and suspensions are also homogenous mixtures, but their particle sizes are larger than the particles that make up a solution. This larger particle size makes colloids and suspensions appear murky or opaque.

The second kind of mixture is a heterogeneous mixture. Heterogeneous mixtures are not uniform throughout. A classic example of a heterogeneous mixture is a trail mix- every handful you grab will be slightly different. If a suspension is allowed to sit, then its large particles will settle to the bottom of its container. At this point, the suspension would be classified as a heterogenous mixture.