Question

Example of a ‘solid in liquid’ mixture is:
A. oil in water
B. muddy water
C. smoke
D. All of these

Answer 1

Hint: Think about the components involved in all the mixtures mentioned in the options. Make note of the states of the components

Complete step by step solution:
A mixture is a substance of no decided volume that is made by mixing two or more substances together. The proportion of the substances that make up the mixture is not decided and this attribute is what makes it a mixture.
Now let us look at each option one by one:

- Oil in water
We know that oil and water are both liquids, it is not exactly a mixture but an emulsion as oil and water are not miscible and neither dissolve in the other. Since they are both liquids, this cannot be the answer to our question.

- Muddy water
We know that water is a liquid. Now, muddy water contains minute soil particles that have been mixed in it. These particles do not dissolve in the water and can be separated by filtration. Soil particles are solids. Since these soil particles are mixed in water, this example is an example of a solid in liquid mixture.

- Smoke
We know that smoke is gaseous. Smoke is formed when tiny pollutants that may be solid liquid or gaseous are mixed in air. Smoke is visible when incomplete combustion occurs and soot is mixed with air. There may be different substances that are in the solid, liquid, or gaseous state mixed in air, but air itself is a gas. Hence, this is not the correct answer.

Note: Remember that when being asked to identify the type of a mixture, consider the components at room temperature, the state may change with a fluctuation in temperature and lead you to the wrong answer. Deviate from this rule only when it is explicitly mentioned i.e. if ice is written instead of water.