Solution, suspension, and colloid are the types of mixtures of substances with varying characteristics. Basically, mixtures have two types homogeneous mixture and heterogeneous mixtures. So, proper understanding of properties and characteristics of solution, suspension and colloid are essential to put all in use.
Essence of understanding nature of mixtures types
Commercially, the value of these mixtures is unavoidable at the industrial as well laboratory level.
Because, identification of composition of substances and to predict their behavior is prerequisite for the formation of chemical compounds and substances.
Study of matters such as Homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures like solution suspension and colloid will help to predict chemical behaviour of different substances.
Understanding Solution suspension and colloid in detail
On the basis of intermixing through homogeneous mixtures and heterogeneous mixtures are having further sub types. Solution is a type of homogeneous mixture, Whereas, suspension and colloidal are the subtypes of heterogeneous mixtures.
Properties of solution suspension and colloid
Now, let’s know the properties and characteristics of above mentioned types of homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures.
1.Solution — homogeneous
First, when two or more than two substances intermix or combine uniformly and their chemical components shows their earlier properties called as solution.
Second, In solution one substance get dissolved into another completely and cannot be seen by our naked eyes separately. Particles of solution are too small to scatter a beam of visible light.
Third, solution may be of any two phases of matter as solid into solid, liquid into liquid or gas into gas or any one into another randomly.
Lemonade, tea, coffee are some examples of solution. Here is a table of examples of solution and their phases.
Table of examples of solutions
Here, I’m going to provide detailed table of examples of solutions. Have a look at the following examples.
| Sr.no. | solute | solvent | types of solutions | Examples |
| 1 | solid | solid | solid in solid | metal alloys, stainless steel, brass, bronze |
| 2 | liquid | solid | liquid in solid | dental amalgam, (liquid mercury in the powder of copper, silver and tin) |
| 3 | gas | solid | gas in solid | Hydrogen gas in platinum or palladium |
| 4 | solid | liquid | solid in liquid | floody water, sugar or salt in water |
| 5 | liquid | liquid | liquid in liquid | alcohol in water |
| 6 | gas | liquid | Gas in liquid | carbonated soft drinks, co2 in water |
| 7 | solid | gas | solid in gas | comphor in nitrogen gas, |
| 8 | liquid | gss | liquid in gas | water droplets in air |
| 9 | gas | gas | gas in gas | water vapour in the air, air |
2. Suspension — heterogeneous
On the other hand, suspension is a type of heterogeneous mixture in which two substances do not get dissolved in each other completely.
Solute, a substance in small quantities dissolved into another remains in suspended and can be seen by naked eyes.
Particles of suspension are enough large to scatter a beam of light through them and make it visible. This is called as Tyndall effect.
And, when such mixture left disturbed, suspended particles get settled at the bottom and can be separated by physical method of filtration.
3. Colloid– heterogeneous
It is a heterogeneous mixture but seems to be homogeneous as its participles are smaller compared to the suspension.
In colloid, though particles are uniformly spread throughout the solution but cannot settle down when left disturbed.
Solute particles in the colloidal solution cannot be seen by naked eyes but allow to scatter the beam of light and makes its path visible.
For example, we often saw dust and smoke particles scatter ray of light entering through a hole.
Table of colloid examples
Here are some important examples of colloidal solutions. Just have a look at the following examples.
| Sr.no. | Dispersion phase | Dispersion medium | Types of colloid | Examples |
| 1 | Solid | solid | solid solution | Gems stones, some alloys, pearls |
| 2 | solid | liquid | solution | paints,gelly, inks |
| 3 | solid | gas | Aerosol/smoke | smokes,air, dusts |
| 4 | liquid | solid | solid emulsion | butter and cheese, |
| 5 | liquid | liquid | emulsion | milk, milk cream |
| 6 | gas | solid | solid foam | foam rubber, bread, spunge |
| 7 | gas | liquid | foam | shaving cream, soda water |
| 8 | liquid | Gas | aerosol | Fog, mist, cloud, insecticide spray. |
Last words on solution suspension and colloid
This is all about the short description of properties of types of mixtures like solution suspension and colloidal.
Solution is a homogeneous mixture uniformly dissolved and cannot be traced by naked eyes. Also, the particles in solution unable to scatter light due to too small to act.
In suspension, substance can be traced by naked eyes as it doesn’t get dissolved completely.
Even beam of light is able to scatter the particles creating Tyndall effect.
Finally, colloid is an example of heterogeneous mixture. The dissolved substance can’t be traced by naked eyes but it can scatter beam of light. And, if the solution left undisturbed, the particles doesn’t get settled.
Hereon, let’s have a look at the key summary or points of the article solution, suspension, and colloid.
Short summary of solution, suspension and colloid
- In chemistry, mixtures are classified as homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures based on the degree of uniformity of dissolution.
- Further, homogeneous is classified as solution, while suspension and colloid are subtypes of heterogeneous mixture.
- Such classification is based on the degree of mixture between solvent and solute.
- Solution is a homogeneous mixture and the dissolved substance can’t be traced by naked eyes. Nor beam of light get scattered.
- Suspension is a heterogeneous mixture and degree of uniformity is less. Particles in suspension can be traced by naked eyes and the scattering effect is also visible with beam of light.
- Colloid is the another heterogeneous mixture. The dissolved substance can’t be traced by naked eyes but beam of light is scattered.
Solved questions on solution, suspension and colloid
Finally, here are some solved questions presented for students. By reading these questions, one could get in-depth understanding of the topic discussed.
Q. 1. What are the types of mixtures?
Ans: There are two types of mixtures. One is homogeneous and other heterogeneous. Homogeneous mixture is uniformly dissolved, while heterogeneous mixture not.
Q. 2. Differentiate between solution and suspension?
Ans: Solution is a homogeneous mixture. While, suspension is heterogeneous. In solution, beam of light isn’t scattered by dissolved particles. Nor particles are visible by naked eyes.
In suspension, beam of light is scattered and particles are visible to naked eyes.
Q. 3. What is difference between solvent and solute?
Ans: Solvent is a substance it may be solid or liquid. It helps to dissolve solute. Solute is a substance dissolve in solvent. Like, water is solvent and sugar is solute.
Q. 4. What does Tyndall effect mean?
Ans: When the beam of light is scattered by the particles directed at them, it creates certain types of effect. It is Tyndall effect. It is observed in colloidal solution and very fine particles of suspension. In suspension, substances are visible by naked eyes as it doesn’t get dissolved completely.
Q. 5. What are the examples of solutions?
Ans: Lemonade, tea, coffee, alcohol in water, carbonated soft drinks are some examples of solution.
So, far, I have described the types of mixtures both homogeneous and heterogeneous. Further, I have described subtypes of heterogeneous and homogeneous mixture like solution suspension and colloid. Then, I provided detailed table of colloid and solutions. Finally, there are some solved questions for you. I hope that all this subject matter will help you in your preparation.
States and properties of matter