Question

Differentiate between the following:
A. Solution and suspension
B. Suspension and colloid

Answer 1

Hint: We can differentiate the given types of mixtures on basis of the following properties: Nature of the solutions, External appearance, Size of the particles (in diameter), Diffusion of the solution through parchment paper, Sedimentation, Visibility of particles, Tyndall effect, Brownian Movements.

Complete step by step answer:
The homogenous mixture of two or more substances in which the solute is dissolved in the solvent is called the true solution. Here the size of the particles is very small that is less than 1 nm. The example of the true solution can be when sugar or salt dissolved in water. These particles cannot be filtered or separated through any filter paper or parchment paper. Even these particles are invisible through naked eyes.As this mixture is in the liquid phase and transparent, it allows the light to pass through the solution without getting scattered. Here, the particles are evenly distributed in the solution and do not get settled at the bottom of the container. Brownian motion and Tyndall effect are not observed in true solutions.

The heterogeneous mixtures of two or more substances in which the size of the particles lies between 1- 1000 nm are known as a colloidal solution. The colloidal solution is the intermediate between a true solution and a suspension. For example, when starch dissolved in water, here the tiny particles will float in water instead of getting dissolved. These particles of the colloidal solution are invisible through naked eyes but can be observed by an electron microscope.The separation of the colloidal particles can be done using a parchment paper, but not through the filter paper. As the mixture is heterogeneous the constituting particles are not evenly distributed in the solutions.Brownian motion and Tyndall effect are observed in Colloidal solution.

Suspensions are the kind of mixture in which the size of the particles is more than the 1000 nm. For example, when the soil is dissolved in water and is stirred strongly, after some time the particles of the solution get settled at the bottom of the container. The particles in the suspension are thus visible through naked eyes. Brownian motion and Tyndall effect are also observed in suspension.

Note: The Tyndall effect is a phenomenon of scattering of light by particles in a colloid or in a very fine suspension.Brownian motion is defined as the stochastic motion of particles induced by random collisions with molecules and becomes relevant only for certain conditions.
For example: the motion of pollen grains on still water and movement of dust motes in a room.