Question

Is vinegar a colloid?

Answer 1

Vinegar is the homogenous solution of water and acetic acid; both are present in liquid phase. Colloid is way different from solution and suspension.

Complete step-by-step answer: Let us look into the fact in detail;
Solution-
A solution is the homogenous mixture of the particles which can be separated easily. The solution is either between same phases or different phases also i.e. liquid-liquid solution or solid-liquid solution.
Example- Gasoline, vinegar, coffee, brass (solid solution).
Suspension-
It is a heterogeneous mixture where the particles settle down when left for some time separating the phases in general.
Example- cough syrup, chocolate milk.
Colloid-
It is also a heterogenous mixture in which the dispersed particles are intermediate in size (in between those of suspension and solution).
Example- paint, milk, whipped cream.
Thus, we can say that vinegar is not a colloid.

Note: Vinegar is a solution of water and acetic acid having no chemical bonds in between them. Hence, the separation does not involve breaking of those bonds chemically.