What makes a colloid different from a solution

Colloids are unlike solutions because their dispersed particles are much larger than those of a solution. The dispersed particles of a colloid cannot be separated by filtration, but they scatter light, a phenomenon called the Tyndall effect. Colloids are often confused with true homogenous solutions because the individual dispersed particles of a colloid cannot be seen.

When light is passed through a true solution, the dissolved particles are too small to deflect the light. However, the dispersed particles of a colloid, being larger, do deflect light see figure below. The Tyndall effect is the scattering of visible light by colloidal particles. You have undoubtedly "seen" a light beam as it passes through fog, smoke, or a scattering of dust particles suspended in air. All three are examples of colloids.

Suspensions may scatter light, but if the number of suspended particles is sufficiently large, the suspension may simply be opaque, and the light scattering will not occur. Listed in the table below are examples of colloidal systems, most of which are very familiar. Some of these are shown below see figure below.

The dispersed phase describes the particles, while the dispersion medium is the material in which the particles are distributed. Butter and mayonnaise are examples of a class of colloids called emulsions.

An emulsion is a colloidal dispersion of a liquid in either a liquid or a solid. Light scattering or the Tyndall effect is an optical property that mainly distinguishes colloids and solutions. Only colloids exhibit a light scattering property due to uniformly dispersed particles. Solutions do not show the Tyndall effect, or a light beam completely passes through the homogeneous mixture. The solubility of solutes in the solvent has a varying affinity.

Thus, depending upon the degree of affinity between particles , colloids and solutions are the resulting mixtures. This post describes the key differences between colloid and solution, along with the comparison chart.

You will also learn the definition, properties, types, examples and similarities between the two. A colloid is a heterogeneous mixture with suspended solute particles in the gas, liquid or solid dispersion medium.

Thus, a colloidal system has two distinct phases. A dispersed phase contains suspended particles, and a continuous phase is the suspension or dispersion medium. The suspended particles in the dispersion medium have a diameter from 1 nm to 1 mm. Let us look into some common examples of colloids. Milk is the colloidal mixture containing dispersed liquid fat and protein globules within the water. Then, ice cream is a colloidal mixture containing fat globules, air bubbles and ice crystals.

A solution is a homogeneous mixture with one or more solute particles in the solvent phase either gas, liquid or solid. Thus, a solution is a mixture containing two components solute and solvent. If a beam cannot pass through a substance but rather bounces off it, you know that there are individual particles suspended in that substance reflecting the light, thus making it either a colloid or a suspension. Some examples of colloids include milk, mayonnaise and butter. The effective mixing of components determines the value of many different types of products.

Homogenizers, especially quality high pressure homogenizers HPHs , create stable solutions, suspensions and colloids that can be used for a variety of purposes. If you would like to learn more about homogenizers and the specific benefits of a BEE International high pressure homogenizer, please contact us today! Inbound Marketing by Leap Clixx. Call Us Today! Colloid mills, like homogenizers , are able to process particle reduction formulations, although each is preferential for certain applications.

In summary, following are some of the main differences between a suspension and colloid:. At BEE International, we not only offer a multitude of high-pressure homogenizers to handle almost any task in a laboratory, pilot plant or industrial setting, we help you sort through the technical jargon to find equipment that best addresses your specific needs. Our line of equipment is suitable for virtually every industry and can work in just about any environment, letting you focus on other important projects.

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