True Solution, Suspension and Colloidal Solutions

Introduction

In a mixture, the colloidal solution is one of the significant parts of the mix with the two adjacent combinations: true solutions and suspension solutions. All three solutions have variable characteristics and properties in different physical and chemical procedures, and their significant difference lies in the particles’ size, appearance, and separation procedure. The three solutions react differently with the various chemical processes. The three mixtures attain their differences with the dissolving properties of the mixtures according to the variable nature of the solute and solvents involved.

True Solutions

The true solution is the homogeneous mixture of two or more substances. Here the solute is completely dissolved in the solvent forming a liquified and transparent solution. The mix of sugar or salt in water is a typical example of a true solution. The size of the particles in a true solution is less than 1 nm. True solutions are hard for filtration or separation procedures as the solvent and solution get into a dissolved state completely.

Through this state, the light passes conveniently without scattering. It is a homogeneous mixture in which any solute and solvent particles do not settle down at the bottom of the true solution. Here the density of the particles is relatively high as the number of particles in the solution is equal in units per volume. The Brownian and Tyndall effect is absent in true solutions.

Colloidal Solutions

It is a heterogeneous mixture where the two or more substances where the size of the particles is around 1 to 1000 nm. It falls under the intermediate category between true solution and suspension solution. It is also a liquid phase, but some tiny and microscopic particles of solvent float in the solute instead of getting dissolved. Therefore, the particles in the colloidal solution are highly microscopic and observed only with the electron microscope.

The most common example of the colloidal solution is the dissolving of starch or gelatin in the mixture. There is a variable separation method for the colloidal solution with the help of parchment paper. The colloidal solution is translucent and separated by centrifugation on a practical platform. Due to its heterogeneous nature, the particles are not evenly distributed in the mixture. The Tyndall and Brownian effects are observed in the colloidal solution. Foam, emulsions, and sol are some typical colloids used practically.

Suspensions

These are the types of mixture with the most significant size of particles. In a suspension, the size of the particle is more than 1000nm. Here the particles in the solution are easily visible through naked eyes. The solvent particle ultimately settles down in the suspension after a vigorous stirring. The mixture of soil and water is the best example of a suspension mixture. Brownian and Tyndall effects are observed effectively in the suspension mixture.   

Significant Differences in True Solutions, Colloidal Solutions, and Suspensions

There are many key differences between true, colloidal, and suspension solutions. These differences are based on their appearance and reaction with the different particles:

1. True solutions are entirely compatible, and here the solute and solvent are thoroughly mixed. The colloidal solutions are the type of mixture where the tiny particles settle down. In contrast, the particles cannot dissolve in suspensions and ultimately settle down in the mix. 
2. The appearance of the true solution is transparent and homogeneous. The colloidal solution has a translucent or opaque appearance with a heterogeneous mixture. The suspension also attains the heterogeneous type in nature with an opaque appearance. 
3. The size of particles in the true solution is less than 1 nm, whereas, in colloidal solution, the size of particles lies between 1 to 1000nm. In suspension, the size of particles is usually more than 1000 nm.
4. The nature of the particles in true solution and attain high density. The density of particles is slightly lower in the colloidal solution, and particles in suspension are highest among all.
5. The true solution is invisible with naked eyes, while the particles are visible with the naked eyes in suspension. In the colloidal solutions, the particles settled down are highly microscopic and are visible with the help of an electron microscope. 
6. The particles in the true solutions uniformly distribute, and no particle ratio is non-soluble. A small particle is in a non-soluble state in the colloidal solution and is not uniformly distributed. Particles in the suspension are completely non-uniform and non-soluble. 
7. The impact of the Brownian and Tyndall effect is absent in the true solution but seen in colloidal mixtures and suspensions.

Conclusion

The differences between colloidal solutions, true solutions, and suspensions are according to the diverse nature of the particles, solutes, and solvents; the mixture relates to the particles’ solubility ratio. Different chemical effects like Brownian and Tyndall effects also denote the fundamental difference in all the three types of mixture. Due to the homogeneous and heterogeneous nature of the particles, these differences are apparent in these mixtures.