What is a colloid - grade-9

Dear Student,

We can differentiate between the true solution, Colloidal solution, and suspensions on the basis of the size of the solute which is dissolved in the solvent.

In the true solution, the size of the solute particle is very small (less than 1 nm) as a result, the solute particle completely dissolves in the solvent forming a homogenous solution.

In the case of suspensions the size of the solute particle is large (more than1000 nm) as a result, the solute particle does not dissolve in the solvent and settles down at the bottom in the solvent.

In the case of colloidal the size of the solute, the particle is large (1 nm-1000 nm) as a result; the solute particle does not completely dissolve in the solvent and remains suspended in the solvent.

Regards