What is a Colloidal Solution?
A colloidal solution or false solution is a mixture in which the substances are regularly suspended in a fluid. A colloid is a very tiny and small material that is spread out uniformly all through another substance.
In colloidal solutions, the individual solute particles are larger than the particles of the true solution but not large enough to be seen by the naked eye. Some examples of colloids are starch and albumen.
In colloidal or false solution, the liquid solvent is known as dispersion medium while the solid solute particle is known as dispersed substance. The dispersion and dispersed substance may be solid, liquid or gas.
Examples of Colloids:
1. Sols and Gels:
Sol is the dispersion of solid particles in a liquid medium, e.g. starch solution consists of a starch powder dispersed in water. Most sols can solidify under certain conditions to form gels e.g natural honey. Other examples of sols are glue, gelatin and clay.
2. Emulsion:
This is the dispersion of a liquid in another liquid. e.g milk, hair cream, cod liver oil. Paints are liquid solutions dispersed in water or alcohol. The process of mixing liquids to form an emulsion is called emulsification.
3. Aerosol:
This is the dispersion of a liquid or solid in a gas
a. Smoke and harmattan dust are examples of colloidal states of solid (state) in gas.
b. Fog, insecticide, and perfumes are examples of colloidal states of liquid in gas.
Thank you.
It was quite interesting. Thanks a bunch