Which term describes a mixture in which particles are dispersed and do not settle quickly?

Which term describes a mixture in which particles are dispersed and do not settle quickly?

• A. Suspension
• B. Colloid
• C. Solution
• D. Mixture

Answer: (B)

Colloids are mixtures where tiny particles are dispersed throughout another substance but do not dissolve. These particles are bigger than those in a true solution, so they scatter light (the Tyndall effect) and give a cloudy look, yet they’re small enough to stay suspended and not settle out quickly due to Brownian motion and interactions with the surrounding medium. This explains why you observe a milky or hazy appearance rather than a clear solution, and why the mixture remains mixed rather than separating into layers like a suspension would. In contrast, suspensions have larger particles that eventually settle to the bottom, like muddy water. Solutions contain dissolved substances at the molecular level, so there’s no scattering of light and no settling. The broad term mixture includes all of these, but the description of dispersed, non-settling particles fits a colloid best. Everyday examples include milk, fog, and mayonnaise.

Colloids are mixtures where tiny particles are dispersed throughout another substance but do not dissolve. These particles are bigger than those in a true solution, so they scatter light (the Tyndall effect) and give a cloudy look, yet they’re small enough to stay suspended and not settle out quickly due to Brownian motion and interactions with the surrounding medium. This explains why you observe a milky or hazy appearance rather than a clear solution, and why the mixture remains mixed rather than separating into layers like a suspension would.

In contrast, suspensions have larger particles that eventually settle to the bottom, like muddy water. Solutions contain dissolved substances at the molecular level, so there’s no scattering of light and no settling. The broad term mixture includes all of these, but the description of dispersed, non-settling particles fits a colloid best. Everyday examples include milk, fog, and mayonnaise.