Definitions and Dispersed Particles in Colloids

Key terms and definitions related to homogeneous substances, compounds, mixtures, and dispersed particles in colloids.

Homogeneous Substance

A substance with identical composition and properties throughout.

Compound

Chemical substances made up of two or more elements chemically bound in a fixed ratio.

Mixture

A combination of two or more substances that retain their physical properties.

Sodium

A chemical element with symbol Na and atomic number 11; classified as an alkali metal.

Potassium

A chemical element with symbol K and atomic number 19; a soft, silvery white metal.

Mercury

A chemical element with symbol Hg and atomic number 80, commonly known as quicksilver.

Colloid

A mixture with microscopically dispersed insoluble particles suspended throughout another substance.

Suspension

A heterogeneous mixture of finely distributed solid in a liquid that is not dissolved.

Tyndall Effect

The effect of light scattering in colloidal dispersion, showing no light in a true solution.

Solute

A substance that is being dissolved in a solution.

Saturation

A situation where a system can take no more of a substance.

Concentration

The measurement of the number of particles present in a given volume.

Dilution

The process of decreasing the concentration of a solute in a solution.

Clouds

Charged particles of water dispersed in air.

Spray Deodorant

Tiny droplets or solid particles of active ingredients suspended in a propellant gas.

Soap

micelles (tiny spherical structures formed when soap molecules group together in water) are the dispersed particles, and the water is the dispersion medium.

Air

Tiny solid or liquid substances suspended in the atmosphere, known as aerosols.

Smoke

Tiny solid and liquid particles suspended in air.

Mayonnaise

Tiny oil droplets suspended in water, making it an emulsion.

Fog

Tiny water droplets suspended in air.

Cheese

Fat globules and proteins suspended in a continuous water-based phase.

Milk

Mainly fat globules and proteins suspended in water.

Blood

Cells, proteins, and other components suspended in plasma.

Gelatin

Gelatin molecules that form a network within a water-based medium to create a gel.

Whipped Cream

Tiny fat droplets suspended in air, creating an aerosol or foam.

Butter

Water droplets suspended in fat, creating a water-in-fat emulsion.

Marshmallow

Air bubbles suspended in a gelatin-based structure.

Gems

colored mineral particles in a solid matrix