A colloid has dispersed particles _______ than those in a suspension and ________ than those in a solution.
smaller, larger
Solutions and Suspensions and Colloid.
A colloid has dispersed particles larger than those in a suspension and smaller than those in a solution.
To understand why this is the case, we need to understand the three types of mixtures: suspensions, colloids, and solutions.
A suspension is a mixture in which solid particles are dispersed in a liquid or gas, but they are larger in size and can be easily seen with the naked eye. For example, if you mix sand or mud in water, you will observe the solid particles floating around and eventually settling down due to gravity.
On the other hand, a solution is a homogeneous mixture in which the particles are uniformly distributed at the molecular level. In a solution, the particles are so small that they cannot be seen individually, even with the help of a microscope. Common examples of solutions include saltwater and sugar dissolved in water.
A colloid, also known as a colloidal suspension, is somewhere in between a suspension and a solution. In a colloid, the dispersed particles are larger than the particles in a solution, but smaller than those in a suspension. These particles are referred to as colloidal particles. Examples of colloids include milk, mayonnaise, and fog.
You can differentiate between the three types of mixtures based on the behavior of the dispersed particles. In a suspension, the particles settle down at the bottom due to gravity, while in a colloid, the particles remain suspended and do not settle down over time. In a solution, the particles are uniformly dispersed throughout the mixture and do not settle down at all.
To summarize, a colloid has dispersed particles larger than those in a solution because they can be seen individually, but smaller than those in a suspension because they do not settle down due to the presence of other substances that prevent settling.