Characteristics & Properties of Solutions, Suspensions, Colloids

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to solutions, solubility, miscibility, and colloids.

Solute

The substance that gets dissolved in a solvent to form a solution.

Solvent

The substance that dissolves the solute; the medium in which dissolution occurs.

Solution

A homogeneous mixture of solute dissolved in solvent.

Solubility

The maximum amount of solute that can dissolve in a given amount of solvent at a specific temperature; influenced by solute/solvent properties, temperature, stirring, solvent volume, and particle size.

Miscible

Liquids that are soluble in each other in any proportion (e.g., alcohol and water).

Immiscible

Liquids that do not mix and form separate layers (do not form a homogeneous solution).

Temperature effect on solubility

How temperature affects solubility; increasing temperature generally increases the amount of solute that can dissolve.

Stirring effect on solubility

Stirring speeds up dissolution by distributing the solute through the solvent and promoting diffusion.

Concentration

The amount of solute dissolved in a specific amount of solvent; describes dilute versus concentrated solutions.

Dilute

A solution with a small amount of solute.

Concentrated

A solution with a large amount of solute.

Saturated solution

A solution in which no more solute can dissolve at a given temperature and pressure.

Colloid

A mixture with dispersed particles larger than molecules but too small to see; exhibits the Tyndall effect; consists of a dispersed phase and a dispersion medium.

Dispersed phase

The substance present in smaller amount in a colloid; the particles that are dispersed.

Dispersion medium

The substance in which the dispersed phase is spread in a colloid.

Tyndall effect

The scattering of light by colloidal particles, used to distinguish colloids from true solutions.

Sol

A colloid in which solid particles are dispersed in a liquid.

Emulsion

A colloid formed by mixing two liquids.

Foam

A colloid formed when numerous gas particles are trapped within a liquid.

Aerosol

A colloid in which tiny liquid or solid particles are dispersed in a gas.