Introduction
Solutions, colloids, and suspensions take place naturally as well as artificially. Similarly, we use these techniques in chemistry, biology, and physics to form new things including medicines, alloys, aerosols, cold drinks, etc.
Solutions, colloids, and suspensions have a very important role in human life as they support and assist us to make human life comfortable and easy living. Let's now read and understand these terms (solutions, colloids, and suspensions) in detail.
What is a Solution?
A special kind of homogeneous mixture made up of two or more substances is called a solution in chemistry. Basically, a solute is a substance that dissolves in another substance, or solvent, in such a mixture. At a scale where the effects of chemical polarity are involved, the mixing process of a solution results in interactions that are unique to solvation.
When the solvent makes up a larger portion of the mixture, as is frequently the case, the state of the solution is typically the same as that of the solvent. The concentration, which is a measure of the amount of solute in a given amount of solution or solvent, is one important parameter of a solution.
The solution has two main types (aqueous and non-aqueous solutions). When water is one of the solvents, the term "aqueous solution" is used. When there is no use of water as a solvent it is called a non-aqueous solution.
Which are the Characteristics of a Solution?
- A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances is called a solution.
- A solution's solute particles are invisible to the naked eye. In contrast, a suspension of particles may be visible.
- Light beams are not scattered by a solution. In contrast, Tyndall scattering and Rayleigh scattering can be caused by particles in a suspension.
- Stable solutions exist; Solutes will not precipitate unless they are added to the mixture in excess of its solubility; at that point, the excess will remain in its solid state, which is called hyper saturation.
- Mechanical or filtration cannot separate the solute from a solution.
- There is only one phase in it.
Types of Solutions
1. Gaseous Solutions: In a gaseous solution, only gases or vapors are dissolved if the solvent is a gas.
Example: Air (solvent) and carbon dioxide (solute).
2. Liquid Solutions: Almost all gases, liquids, and solids can be dissolved if the solvent is a liquid.
Examples: a) Water (solvent) and Oxygen (solute)............................. Gas into Liquid Solution
b) Ethanol (solvent) and Water (solute)............................. Liquid into Liquid Solution
c) Sugar or Salt (solvent) and Water (solute).................... Solid into Liquid Solution
3. Solid Solutions: In a solid solution, gases, liquids, and solids can be dissolved.
Examples: a) Oxygen (solvent) and Iron (solute)..................................Gas into Solid Solution
b) Mercury (solvent) and Water (solute)............................Liquid into SolidSolution
c) Steel (solvent) and Iron (solute)....................................Solid into Solid Solution
What is a Colloid?
A colloid is a mixture in which one substance is suspended in another substance and is made up of insoluble, microscopically dispersed particles. Some definitions specify that the particles must be distributed in a liquid, while others include aerosols and gels in the definition.
Although colloids and suspensions are distinct in a more narrow sense due to their larger particle sizes, the term "colloidal suspension" clearly refers to the entire mixture. There is a dispersed phase—the suspended particles—and a continuous phase—the suspension medium—in a colloid.
Particles in the dispersed phase range in size from about one nanometer to one micrometer. The Tyndall effect, which is caused by the colloidal particles scattering light, is what gives some colloids their translucent appearance. Other colloids may be translucent or slightly colored. Interface and colloid science focus on colloidal suspensions.
While the solute and solvent only form one phase in a solution, a colloid has both a dispersed and continuous phase. Individual molecules or ions make up a solute in a solution, whereas colloidal particles are larger. In a salt-water solution, for instance, the Na+ and Cl ions are surrounded by water molecules as the sodium chloride (NaCl) crystal dissolves.
However, rather than individual fat molecules, the colloidal particles in colloid-like milk are globules of fat. When compared to a continuous, fully mixed solution, the properties of a colloid, which is composed of multiple phases, are vastly distinct.
What is a Suspension?
A heterogeneous mixture known as a suspension is one in which the solute particles do not dissolve but rather remain free to move around in the medium after being suspended in the bulk of the solvent.
Mechanical agitation and the use of specific excipients or suspending agents are used to distribute the internal phase, which is a solid, throughout the external phase, which is a fluid. An illustration of a suspension would be sand in water. Under a microscope, the suspended particles can be seen, and if they are not moved, they will settle over time.
Because of this, a suspension is different from a colloid, which has smaller particles and does not settle. The dissolved substance (solute) does not exist as a solid in colloids and suspensions, whereas in solutions, solvent and solute are mixed uniformly.
An aerosol is a gas-based suspension of fine solid or liquid droplets. Fine dust and soot particles, sea salt, biogenic and volcanogenic sulfates, nitrates, and cloud droplets are particulates, which are suspended particles in the atmosphere.
The dispersed phase and the dispersion medium are used to classify suspensions; the dispersed phase is typically solid, while the dispersion medium can be solid, liquid, or gas. In current synthetic cycle ventures, high-shear blending innovation has been utilized to make numerous original suspensions.
From a thermodynamic perspective, suspensions are unstable, but they can be kinetically stable for longer periods of time, which can determine a suspension's shelf life. In order to provide the customer with accurate information and guarantee the highest quality product, this time period must be measured.
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