What are the differences between solution and colloid?

Question

Accepted Answer

Solution and colloid are two types of mixtures. In both mixtures, the solute molecules can be physically recovered as they are not chemically bonded to the solvent molecules. There are several differences between solution and colloid.

Basis of differentiation

Solution

Colloid

Definition

Is a homogeneous mixture made up of one or more solutes in a solvent

Is a heterogeneous mixture made up of particles that are dispersed or suspended in the dispersion medium

Phase

Consists of a single phase

Consists of two distinct phases - a dispersed phase that contains suspended particles, and a continuous phase, which is the suspension or dispersion medium

Components

Has two components - Solute and solvent

Has two components – a dispersed phase and a dispersion medium

Nature

Homogeneous

Heterogeneous

Interaction between the particles

Solute and solvent particles interact through attractive intermolecular forces such as Vander Waals forces, hydrogen bonding, and ion-induced dipole forces

Colloid particles interact through electrostatic interaction, steric forces, excluded volume repulsion, and Vander Waals forces

Particle size

Particle sizes are very small, less 1 nanometer

Particle sizes are larger, usually 1- 200 nanometer

Permeability

Is permeable through most membranes

Is permeable only through ultrafiltration papers

Diffusion

Particles diffuse rapidly

Particles diffuse slowly

Tyndall effect

Does not exhibit Tyndall effect -  Light passes through solutions

Exhibits Tyndall effect - Light is scattered by larger particles

Appearance of the system

Clear, transparent

Cloudy, translucent

Visibility

Particles are invisible to the naked eye and are not visible even under a light microscope

Particles are invisible to the naked eye but visible under a light microscope

Sedimentation

Particles do not settle down after centrifugation

Particles usually settle down after centrifugation

Filtration

Particles cannot be separated through ordinary or parchment filters

Particles can be separated through a parchment filter

Examples

- Brine is a homogeneous mixture containing salt and water
- Honey is a homogenous mixture of sugars (glucose and fructose) and other carbohydrates
- Soda is a homogenous solution comprising carbon dioxide and water

- Milk is a colloidal mixture made up of protein globules and dispersed liquid fat in water
- Ice cream is a colloidal mixture made up of ice crystals, fat globules, and air bubbles
- Blood is a colloid containing blood plasma and blood cells such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets

Basis of differentiation	Solution	Colloid
Definition	Is a homogeneous mixture made up of one or more solutes in a solvent	Is a heterogeneous mixture made up of particles that are dispersed or suspended in the dispersion medium
Phase	Consists of a single phase	Consists of two distinct phases - a dispersed phase thatcontains suspended particles, and a continuous phase, which is the suspension or dispersion medium
Components	Has two components - Solute and solvent	Has two components – a dispersed phase and a dispersion medium
Nature	Homogeneous	Heterogeneous
Interaction between the particles	Solute and solvent particles interact through attractive intermolecular forces such as Vander Waals forces, hydrogen bonding, and ion-induced dipole forces	Colloid particles interact through electrostatic interaction, steric forces, excluded volume repulsion, and Vander Waals forces
Particle size	Particle sizes are very small, less 1 nanometer	Particle sizes are larger, usually 1- 200 nanometer
Permeability	Is permeable through most membranes	Is permeable only through ultrafiltration papers
Diffusion	Particles diffuse rapidly	Particles diffuse slowly
Tyndall effect	Does not exhibit Tyndall effect - Light passes through solutions	Exhibits Tyndall effect - Light is scattered by larger particles
Appearance of the system	Clear, transparent	Cloudy, translucent
Visibility	Particles are invisible to the naked eye and are not visible even under a light microscope	Particles are invisible to the naked eye but visible under a light microscope
Sedimentation	Particles do not settle down after centrifugation	Particles usually settle down after centrifugation
Filtration	Particles cannot be separated through ordinary or parchment filters	Particles can be separated through a parchment filter
Examples	Brine is a homogeneous mixture containing salt and water Honey is a homogenous mixture of sugars (glucose and fructose) and other carbohydrates Soda is a homogenous solution comprising carbon dioxide and water	Milk is a colloidal mixture made up of protein globules and dispersed liquid fat in water Ice cream is a colloidal mixture made up of ice crystals, fat globules, and air bubbles Blood is a colloid containing blood plasma and blood cells such as red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets

Basis of differentiation

Solution

Colloid

Related questions