Explain why a suspension is considered a heterogeneous mixture?

Remove a spoonful of the suspension. You have more than one substance in the spoon; i.e., you have the solvent (water perhaps) and you have the material that is suspended. You can separate the solvent from the suspended material so it isn't homogeneous but heterogeneous.

A suspension is considered a heterogeneous mixture because it consists of two or more substances that are unevenly distributed throughout the mixture. In other words, the particles of the substances in a suspension are not uniformly dispersed, which makes it visibly different from a homogeneous mixture where the substances are evenly mixed.

The reason behind this uneven distribution is due to the larger size of the particles in a suspension. In a typical suspension, one substance is dispersed or suspended in another substance, but the particles of the suspended substance are usually larger and heavier than the particles of the dispersing substance. These larger particles tend to settle at the bottom of the container over time due to the force of gravity, creating a visible separation between the two substances.

To determine if a mixture is a suspension, you can perform a simple experiment. First, observe whether the mixture appears uniform or if there are visible particles that have settled at the bottom. Then, you can gently mix the suspension, and if the particles disperse but eventually settle back down, it indicates that it is a suspension.

Another method to identify a suspension is to shine a light through the mixture. If the light becomes scattered and the mixture appears cloudy or opaque, it suggests the presence of suspended particles.

In summary, a suspension is considered a heterogeneous mixture because it contains visibly separate particles that do not mix uniformly throughout the mixture. The larger and heavier particles of the suspended substance tend to settle at the bottom over time, resulting in an uneven distribution.