http://www.ck12.org Chapter 15. Water
FIGURE 15.16
Light passing through a true solution and
a colloidal solutionA suspension scatters light even more effectively than a colloid. Depending on the thickness of the mixture, little to
no light will generally make it all the way through a suspension. Suspensions have a very opaque appearance.
Lesson Summary
- The dispersed and continuous phases within a mixture can each be in any state of matter (i.e., solid, liquid, or
gas). - Mixtures are often classified differently based on the combinations of states (solid, liquid, or gas) represented
by the dispersed phase and the continuous phase. - Homogeneous mixtures with particle sizes smaller than 1 nanometer are categorized as true solutions. They
are transparent. - Mixtures with particle sizes ranging from 10−^9 to 10−^7 meters are colloidal mixtures. They are partially
transparent but exhibit a noticeable Tyndall effect. - Mixtures in which the particle sizes are larger than 10−^7 meters are called suspensions. These mixtures are
completely opaque.
Lesson Review Questions
- What differentiates the particles that make up colloids and suspensions?
- How do the dispersed phase and the continuous phase relate to the solution components you have learned
about? - How can you visibly tell the difference between colloids and suspensions?
- Categorize each of the following substances as a foam, aerosol, emulsion, gel, sol, or solid sol:
a. cheese
b. butter
c. jelly
d. shaving cream