Can you see the particles in a coloid, suspension, and solution?
Can any of those be filtered?
The particles in a colloid are visible from the Tyndall effect. Particles in a suspension can be seen. Particles in a solution can not be seen. None are filterable using ordinary filter paper.
To determine whether particles can be seen in a particular substance, we need to understand the nature of colloid, suspension, and solution.
A colloid is a mixture where small particles are dispersed throughout a different substance. These particles are usually larger than the particles in a solution but smaller than those in a suspension. In most cases, colloids appear cloudy or opaque and can generally be seen with the naked eye. Examples of colloids include milk, mayonnaise, and gelatin.
A suspension, on the other hand, is a mixture in which large particles are dispersed in a liquid or gas but tend to settle down due to gravity over time. Suspensions often appear cloudy or murky due to the presence of these visible particles. Examples of suspensions include muddy water or sand in water.
Lastly, a solution is a homogeneous mixture where tiny particles, typically ions or molecules, are evenly distributed in a solvent. Unlike colloids and suspensions, solutions appear transparent or clear because the particles are too small to scatter light. Examples of solutions include saltwater and sugar dissolved in water.
Now, referring back to your question, colloids and suspensions can both be filtered to separate the suspended particles from the liquid or gas. Filter paper or a fine mesh can trap the larger particles while allowing the liquid or gas to pass through. However, it's important to note that colloids may take longer to separate by filtration due to the smaller size of particles compared to suspensions.
In contrast, solutions cannot be filtered to separate the dissolved particles since they are at the molecular or ionic level, which are too small to be trapped by normal filtration methods. To separate the solute from a solution, other techniques like evaporation or distillation are commonly used.
To summarize, colloids and suspensions are typically visible due to the presence of particles, and both can be filtered to separate the particles. Solutions, on the other hand, do not exhibit visible particles, and their components cannot be separated through filtration.