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In this article, we will tell you all the differences between true solution, colloidal solution and suspension. All the three solutions have almost similar characteristics and that’s why it is very easy to get confused. But don’t worry, after reading this article all your confusion will get clear.
Now, before we tell you the key differences between them let’s understand their meaning.
What is the True Solution?
A true solution can be defined as a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances. Here, the particle size of the material dissolved in the solvent is less than 10-9 m or 1 nm. Homogeneous indicates that the components of the mixture form a single phase. In the solution, you won’t be able to separate the solute from the solution using the filtration process.
The solute particles don’t tend to settle. In a true solution, the light will never scatter. Another distinguishing feature of a true solution is that it is clear and transparent. An example of a true solution is a sugar solution in water.
What is the Suspension Solution?
A suspension solution is the heterogeneous mixture of two or more substances where the solute particles don’t dissolve and remain suspended throughout the solution. Basically, in suspension solutions solids are dispersed in liquids. You can easily see the particles of the solute with your naked eyes.
Since the particles are large they scatter the rays of light. You can easily see the path of the ray through the solution. The particles in the suspension solution can easily be separated using the filtration method. Common examples of suspension solutions are a mixture of chalk and water.
An aerosol is the suspension of the liquid droplets in a gas. Suspensions are further categorised based on these two things: dispersed phase and the dispersion medium. According to thermodynamics, suspensions are unstable. But, from the point of view of kinetics, it is stable.
What is the Colloidal Solution?
A colloidal solution is the mixture of particles of substances that are suspended in the fluid. Here, the particles are microscopically dispersed and soluble/insoluble. The suspension and colloidal solutions are tiny materials that are spread out uniformly. Due to the Tyndall effect, some of the colloids are translucent. On the other hand, some of the colloids can be opaque.
In the section on colloids, you also might have heard the term ‘Hydrocolloids’. This term indicates certain chemicals that are colloidally dispersible in water. Due to this, the solution becomes soluble and this changes the rheology of water. Hydrocolloids have gel-forming agents, like carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) and gelatin.
Colloidal systems exist in three states: gas, liquid or solid. Although most of the time colloidal solution is a liquid concoction. Examples of colloidal solutions are whipped cream and perfume.
Difference Between True Solution, Colloidal Solution and Suspension.
True Solution | Suspension Solution | Colloidal Solution |
Meaning | ||
A true solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances. | A suspension solution is the heterogeneous mixture of two or more substances where the solute particles don’t dissolve and remain suspended throughout the solution. | A colloidal solution is the heterogeneous mixture of particles of substances that are suspended in the fluid where the particles are microscopically dispersed and soluble/insoluble. |
Size | ||
The size of the particles in the true solution is very small (less than 1nm) | The size of the particles in the suspension solution is large (more than 100 nm) | The size of the particles in the colloidal solution is neither small nor big (1-100nm). |
Visibility to the Naked Eye | ||
The particles cannot be seen by the naked eyes. | The particles can be seen by the naked eye. | The particles are too small to be seen by the naked eye. |
Scattering of Light | ||
The particles of the true solution do not scatter light. | The particles of the suspension solution are large enough to scatter a beam of light. | The particles of the colloidal solution are large enough to scatter a beam of light. |
Filtration | ||
You cannot filter the particles. | You can filter the particles. | You cannot filter the particles. |
Examples | ||
Solution of salt and water. | A mixture of sand and water. | Milk. |
Conclusion:
So, as you can see, even though these three solutions look the same, all of them are different from each other. All three solutions have their unique properties. We hope you got answers to all your questions in this article and understood the difference between true solution, colloidal solution and suspension.
