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All colloids have two phases, i.e., a dispersed phase and a dispersion medium. The dispersion medium is of three categories: liquid, gaseous, and solid, and the colloidal particles are scattered throughout the medium. These colloids are foams, emulsions, liquid aerosol, solid foam, gel, and solid sol. Most of the dispersion mediums are liquid and made up of different chemicals. These colloids are applied in various uses in medicine and engineering. This article teaches us more about the dispersion medium and its nuances.
A colloid is a kind of heterogeneous mixture made up of tiny particles and a solvent (liquid), and the liquid part is also known as the dispersion medium.
Uses of colloids are as follows
In the medicinal field: Most of the colloids can be absorbed by the cells and tissues of the human body; thus, it is widely used for medicinal purposes.
In cleaning clothes or utensils, the soap formation procedure of colloids is used.
Water purification: This precipitation method is used to extract the dirt particles (certain electrolytes) from the water bodies.
Various kinds of colloids are used as lubricants and lotion in industrial areas.
In the manufacturing process of ink and paints, colloids are used in the form of liquid-solid colloids.
Significant properties of colloids are mentioned below
It is a kind of heterogeneous mixture.
The size of solid particles is tiny.
Colloids can scatter the light and show the Tyndall effect.
The components cannot be separated by filter paper.
Although, there are various colloids based on different parameters, such as
The Dispersed phase and the Dispersion Medium relationship (interaction between the particles).
Based on the dispersed phase.
Based on the state of dispersed and dispersion medium.
The explanation of the division of colloids based on dispersion medium is given below
For liquid dispersion medium
Foams: In this kind of colloid, gas is the dispersed medium. This colloidal system consists of particles as gas bubbles and liquid as a medium. In this, particles are present in the liquid. It would have a spongy or rigid kind of material. For instance, shaving cream.
Emulsions: In this kind of colloid, the liquid is in a dispersed phase. It has a combination of two liquids. When some droplets of one liquid are mixed with the immiscible liquid it is known as an emulsion. The range of the diameter of droplets is from 10-4 to 10-6 cm. For instance, milk.
For gaseous dispersion medium
Liquid aerosol: In this, the liquid is the dispersed phase. For example, fog, mist, etc. They are mainly divided into categories such as natural and anthropogenic. In natural liquid aerosols, we have fog, mist, dust, etc. In the case of anthropogenic colloids, we have polluted particles and smoke.
Solid aerosol: In this, solid is the dispersed phase. When minute particles of a solid substance are mixed with the gaseous element, it is known as solid aerosols. For instance, smoke.
For solid dispersion medium
Solid foam: In this kind of colloids, gas is the dispersed medium. For example, pumice.
Gel: In this kind of colloids, the liquid is the dispersed medium. For instance, agar, etc. In this, the liquid medium behaves like a solid. Sometimes, contraction causes the separation of liquid from it, and the process is known as syneresis. They are stable at an optimally low temperature.
Solid sol: In this kind of colloids, solid is the dispersed medium. For instance, cranberry glass.
Conclusion
Hence, colloids are widely used in various processes, and we extract them from natural resources. Sol is a colloid with suspended particles in the solvent medium. These are prepared by different chemical processes such as condensation or dispersion. They show the Tyndall effect (scattering of light through particles present in the solvent). All colloids have two phases, i.e., a dispersed phase and a dispersion medium. Based on types of phases and dispersion and interaction forces, colloids are divided mainly into three categories: the Dispersed phase and the Dispersion Medium relationship (interaction between the particles), based on the dispersed phase and based on the state of dispersed and the dispersion medium.
