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🧪 Mixtures Comparison

Understanding Solutions, Suspensions & Colloids

Solution
Homogeneous mixture where particles are molecularly dispersed and cannot be seen.

Example: Salt water, sugar water

Properties:

  • Transparent & clear
  • Does not settle
  • Passes through filter
  • Particle size < 1 nm
Colloid
Heterogeneous mixture with intermediate-sized particles that scatter light (Tyndall effect).

Example: Milk, fog, jelly

Properties:

  • Translucent/cloudy
  • Does not settle
  • Shows Tyndall effect
  • Particle size 1-1000 nm
Suspension
Heterogeneous mixture with large particles that are visible and settle over time.

Example: Muddy water, chalk in water

Properties:

  • Opaque/cloudy
  • Settles when left standing
  • Can be filtered
  • Particle size > 1000 nm

Key Differences

Solution

The solute particles are completely dissolved at the molecular level. The mixture is perfectly clear and uniform throughout. Like dissolving sugar in tea - you can't see the sugar molecules!

Colloid

Particles are larger than molecules but still small enough to remain suspended. They scatter light, making the mixture appear cloudy. Like milk - you can see it's cloudy but particles don't settle.

Suspension

Particles are large enough to see and heavy enough to settle at the bottom over time. The mixture appears murky. Like sand in water - shake it up and watch it settle!