Activity: To know the difference between true solutions, colloids and suspension. Prepare all the three types of solutions (Name them A, B and C) and after studying the mechanisms involved, write the answers to the following questions in your Chemistry notebooks. Describe the activity (with its aim, materials required, procedure, and conclusion) Q1. Were you able to see the particles in the mixture of any (A, B, and C)? Q2. Have you observed the path of beam of light visible when passed through beaker containing mixture? Q3. Have you observed any settling of particles of the mixture after sometime or is it stable? Q4. Have you observed any residue left on the filter paper after filtration?
Answers
Take a glass of water and throw in a handful of sand or dirt. Stir it and stir it and stir it. Have you made a solution? Sand and dirt do not dissolve in water, and, though it may look homogenous for a few moments, the sand or dirt gradually sinks to the bottom of the glass (see figure below). Some medications are delivered as suspensions and must be mixed well before the doses measured to make sure the patient is receiving the correct amount of medication.
Figure 7.6.1 : A mixture of sand and water forms a suspension.
A suspension is a heterogeneous mixture in which some of the particles settle out of the mixture upon standing. The particles in a suspension are far larger than those of a solution, so gravity is able to pull them down out of the dispersion medium (water). The diameter for the dispersed particles in a suspension, such as the sand in the suspension described above, is typically at least 1000 times greater than those in a solution. Unlike a solution, the dispersed particles can be separated from the dispersion medium by filtering. Suspensions are considered heterogeneous because the different substances in the mixture will not remain uniformly distributed if they are not actively being mixed.
Colloids
A colloid is a heterogeneous mixture in which the dispersed particles are intermediate in size between those of a solution and a suspension. The particles are spread evenly throughout the dispersion medium, which can be a solid, liquid, or gas. Because the dispersed particles of a colloid are not as large as those of a suspension, they do not settle out upon standing. The table below summarizes the properties and distinctions between solutions, colloids, and suspensions.
Table 7.6.1 : Properties of Solutions, Colloids, and Suspensions
Solution Colloids Suspensions
Homogeneous Heterogeneous Heterogeneous
Particle size: 0.01 - 1nm ; atoms, ions or molecules Particle size: 1 - 1000nm , dispersed; large molecules or aggregates Particle size: over 1000nm , suspended: large particles or aggregates
Do not separate on standing Do not separate on standing Particles settle out
Cannot be separated by filtration Cannot be separated by filtration Can be separated by filtration
Do not scatter light Scatter light (Tyndall effect) May either scatter light or be opaque
Colloids are unlike solutions because their dispersed particles are much larger than those of a solution. The dispersed particles of a colloid cannot be separated by filtration, but they scatter light, a phenomenon called the Tyndall effect.
Tyndall Effect
Colloids are often confused with true homogenous solutions because the individual dispersed particles of a colloid cannot be seen. When light is passed through a true solution, the dissolved particles are too small to deflect the light. However, the dispersed particles of a colloid, being larger, do deflect light (see figure below). The Tyndall effect is the scattering of visible light by colloidal particles. You have undoubtedly "seen" a light beam as it passes through fog, smoke, or a scattering of dust particles suspended in air. All three are examples of colloids. Suspensions may scatter light, but if the number of suspended particles is sufficiently large, the suspension may simply be opaque, and the light scattering will not occur.
Figure 7.6.2 : Light passes through a colorless solution and is not scattered. When it passes through a diluted milk solution, the light is scattered by colloidal particles, an observation of the Tyndall effect. The Tyndall effect allows sunlight to be seen as it passes through a fine mist.
Examples of Colloids
Listed in the table below are examples of colloidal systems, most of which are very familiar. Some of these are shown below (see figure below). The dispersed phase describes the particles, while the dispersion medium is the material in which the particles are distributed.
Table 7.6.2 : Classes of Colloids
Class of Colloid Dispersed Phase Dispersion Medium Examples
Sol and gel solid liquid paint, jellies, blood, gelatin, mud
Solid aerosol solid gas smoke, dust in air
Solid emulsion liquid solid cheese, butter
Liquid emulsion liquid liquid milk, mayonnaise
Liquid aerosol liquid gas fog, mist, clouds, aerosol spray
Foam gas solid marshmallow
Foam gas liquid whipped cream, shaving cream
Figure 7.6.3 : Some common colloids (A) gelatin dessert, (B) smoke (solid aerosol), (C) butter (solid emulsion), (D) mayonnaise (liquid emulsion), (E) fog (liquid aerosol), (F) marshmallows (foam), (G) whipped cream (foam)
Emulsions
Butter and mayonnaise are examples of a class of colloids called emulsions. An emulsion is a colloidal dispersion of a liquid in either a liquid or a solid. A stable emulsion requires an emulsifying.