Question

What are the differences between a true solution, colloidal solution and suspension.

Answer 1

Solutions form a very important part of our life. Chemists take advantage of fluids forming solutions and use this in various chemical processes. Solutes are the components that are usually solid and are comparatively smaller in size than solvents. Solvents are comparatively more in size or density. Solvents are more in quantity than a solute.

Complete step-by-step answer: Solutions can be classified into three categories which are true solution, colloidal solution and suspension. So when we divide these three categories as per their differences, we can see:
A.True solution: It is a mixture which is homogenous.
1.This means it has two or more types of solutes present in a particular solvent.
2.The size of particles is known to be less than $1nm$.
3.A very common example is sugar in water.
4.Its external appearance is clear which means that it is homogenous.
5.With naked eyes, we cannot see any particles in this kind of solution.
6.It is a stable solution.
7.We cannot separate the solution by physical methods such as filtration
8.Light can very easily penetrate and thus there is no tyndall effect depicted by this sort of solution
B.Colloidal solution: it is a heterogeneous mixture in which two or more solutes are evenly distributed.
1.The size of the particles is comparatively more than that in true solution.
2.The size of particles is known to be ranging from $1 - 1000{\text{ }}nm$.
3.A very common example is starch dissolved in water.
4.Its external appearance is clear which means that it is homogenous.
5.With naked eyes, we cannot see any particles in this kind of solution.
6.It is a stable solution.
7.We cannot separate the solution by physical methods such as filtration.
8.Light cannot very easily penetrate and thus is it translucent.
9.There is tyndall effect depicted by this sort of solution.
C.Suspension- it is a heterogeneous solution with two or more substances dissolved.
1.The size of the particles is comparatively more than that in true solution
2.The size of particles is known to be more than $1000{\text{ }}nm$.
3.A very common example is soil dissolved in water
4.Its external appearance is opaque which means that it is heterogenous
5.With naked eyes, we can see any particles in this kind of solution
6.It is a metastable solution
7.We can separate the solution by physical methods such as filtration
8.Light cannot penetrate through the suspension as it is opaque
9.There is no tyndall effect depicted by this sort of solution

Note: There are a lot of solutions which are present in life processes. For example the oxygen from lungs go into solution in blood plasma. This unites chemically and red blood cells have haemoglobin present in that which is released into the body tissues. Liquids have the ability to dissolve other fluids or solids in them.