Question

Write three differences between colloidal solution, solution and suspension.

Answer 1

Hint: To correctly give the differences between colloidal solution, solution and suspension we should have the knowledge of each type of solution. We should know that solution is the homogenous mixture, while Colloidal solution and Suspension are the heterogeneous mixtures of two or more substances.

Step by step answer:
We should first know about each solution by their definitions. We should know that a solution is a special type of homogeneous mixture composed of two or more substances. In such a mixture, a solute is a substance dissolved in another substance, known as a solvent.
We should know that colloidal solution is a solution in which microscopically dispersed insoluble particles of one substance are suspended in another substance. The size of the suspended particles in a colloid can range from 1 to 1000 nanometres.
We should know that a suspension is a heterogeneous mixture that contains solid particles sufficiently large for sedimentation. The particles may be visible to the naked eye.
Now, we will give the differences of colloidal solution, solution and suspension in tabular form.

Basis for comparison	Solution	Colloidal solution	Suspension
Definition	In this, the solute and solvents are properly mixed in the liquid phase.	In this, the solute (tiny particles or colloids) is uniformly distributed in the solvent (liquid phase).	It is a mixture, where the solute does not get dissolved, it gets suspended in the liquid and settles in the medium.
Example	Sugar solution in water.	Starch dissolved in water.	Sand dissolve in water
Nature of the solutions	Homogenous	Heterogeneous	Heterogeneous.
appearance	Transparent	Translucent	opaque
Size of the particles	<1 nm.	1-1000 nm.	>1000 nm.
Sedimentation	Will, not sediment.	Particles or colloids will not sediment..	Particles will get sediment.
Diffusion of the solution through filter paper.	Diffusion of the particles of the solution is simple and smooth through filter paper.	Particles of the colloidal solutions is easy through filter paper	Particles of the suspension do not pass through filter paper.
Tyndall effect	The solution does show the Tyndall effect.	Tyndall effect is shown by the colloids in the colloidal solution.	The particles show Tyndall effect.
Visibility	Particles are invisible through the naked eye.	Particles in the colloidal solution are visible through the electron microscope, but not through the naked eye.	Particles in the suspension are visible through naked eyes

Note: We should note that Tyndall effect is the effect of a beam of light passed through the liquid; the particles present in it (liquid) may give different results. In solution or true solution, it allows the light to pass through the solution without getting scattered. When the solution is said as homogenous, it means the particles are evenly distributed in the solution and do not get settled at the bottom of the container.