Solutions and suspensions are two different types of mixtures that we can find in our everyday lives. They are made up of two or more substances that are mixed together, but they are different in how the substances are combined and how they look.
A solution is a homogeneous mixture, which means that the particles of the substances are evenly spread throughout the mixture. In a solution, we have a solvent and a solute. The solvent is the substance that dissolves the solute, and the solute is the substance that is being dissolved. The most common solvent is water, and many substances can dissolve in water to form a solution.
For example, when we add sugar to a cup of water, the sugar dissolves in the water, and we get a sugar solution. The sugar particles are so small that they can't be seen with the naked eye, and the solution is clear and transparent.
On the other hand, a suspension is a heterogeneous mixture, which means that the particles of the substances are not evenly spread throughout the mixture. In a suspension, we have larger particles that are suspended in a liquid. The particles may settle down if left undisturbed for a while.
For example, if we mix sand and water, the sand particles will not dissolve in the water. Instead, they will be suspended in the water, and we will get a sand suspension. The sand particles are large enough to be seen with the naked eye, and the suspension is cloudy and opaque.
There are several ways to separate a solution and a suspension. In a solution, we can use evaporation to separate the solvent from the solute. The solvent will evaporate, leaving the solute behind. In a suspension, we can use filtration to separate the particles from the liquid. The liquid will pass through a filter, and the particles will be left behind.
In addition, there are other methods to separate a solution and a suspension. Sedimentation is the process of letting the particles settle down, and the heavier particles will settle down faster. Centrifugation is a process of spinning the mixture at high speed, and the heavier particles will be forced to the bottom. These methods can be used to separate the particles from the liquid.
The stability of a solution and a suspension is also different. A solution is usually stable, and the particles will not settle down over time. The shelf life of a solution is longer than a suspension. On the other hand, a suspension is not stable, and the particles will settle down over time. The shelf life of a suspension is shorter than a solution.
The viscosity of a solution and a suspension is also different. Viscosity is the measure of the resistance of a liquid to flow. A solution has a lower viscosity than a suspension because the particles in a solution are smaller and more uniform. A suspension has a higher viscosity than a solution because the particles in a suspension are larger and not uniform.
In summary, solutions and suspensions are two different types of mixtures that we can find in our everyday lives. A solution is a homogeneous mixture, and a suspension is a heterogeneous mixture. The particles in a solution are evenly spread throughout the mixture, and the particles in a suspension are not evenly spread throughout the mixture. The stability, shelf life, and viscosity of a solution and a suspension are also different.
Lighthouse Lab – Solutions and Suspensions
Теги
solutionssuspensionshomogeneousheterogeneoussolventsoluteparticlesuniformtransparenttranslucentopaqueseparationfiltrationsedimentationcentrifugationsettlinggravitystabilityshelf lifeviscositydilutionconcentrationsolubilitysaturationsupersaturationcrystallizationprecipitationcolloiddispersionBrownian motionTyndall effectemulsionfoamsurfactantstabilizercoagulationflocculationzeta potentialpHtemperaturepressureosmosisdialysisadsorption