Question

Can a solution be heterogeneous?

Answer 1

Hint: A heterogeneous mixture is a mixture where two immiscible phases of two solutions are present in one. A solution is a mixture of two or more components which are completely soluble in a solvent.

Complete step by step answer:
 Before answering this we should remember that mixtures are of two types- homogeneous mixtures and heterogeneous mixtures.

Let us discuss these types of mixtures briefly to answer the question:
Firstly we have a homogenous mixture. We can define a homogeneous mixture is a mixture where the composition of the components of the mixture is the same throughout the sample. It can be a solution too where the solute is even throughout the solvent.
Example of a homogeneous mixture is sugar dissolved in water, paint, alcohol etc.

Then we have a heterogeneous mixture. We can define a heterogeneous mixture as the mixture where the composition of the components of the mixture is not the same throughout the sample.
Example of a heterogeneous mixture is oil in water as they do not mix and the solution is not uniform.
We know that a solution is a mixture of two or more compounds mixed in a solute. A true solution cannot be heterogeneous as it has solute uniformly distributed in the solution. Also, the solute is not visible through naked eye and normal filtration cannot separate the solute from the solvent and thus it is a homogeneous mixture and not a heterogeneous mixture.
Therefore, the answer is no, a solution cannot be a heterogeneous mixture.

Note: Milk appears to be a homogeneous mixture when seen with naked eye. But milk is a colloidal dispersion of fat in water. There are tiny globules of protein present in milk which we can see if examined under a microscope. Fat and water cannot be mixed together to form a solution and thus two immiscible phases of liquids are visible. Therefore, milk is a heterogeneous mixture.