States of Water Mixtures

Solution

homogeneous mixture where solutes are <1 nm

Colloidal Dispersion

Stable two-phase system where incorporated particles are 1 - 200 nm. The continuous phase surrounds the dispersed phase.

Suspensions

Mixture where phases separate due to gravity if not agitated (> 200 nm)

Emulsion

Liquid in a liquid

Sol

Solid in a liquid

Gel

Liquid in a solid

Foam

Gas in a liquid

Suspenoid

Gas in a solid