Types of Dispersion
- A Solution:
- Homogeneous dispersion where solute particles are uniformly distributed in a solvent.
- Particle size < 1 nm.
Suspension:
- Heterogeneous dispersion where solid particles are dispersed in a liquid medium.
- Particle size: 100 nm.
- Some common examples of suspensions are as follow:
- Oil and water
- Muddy water
- Dust in air
Colloid:
- Microheterogeneous dispersion.
- Particle size: 1 nm - 100 nm.
- Coarse Dispersions:
- Particle size > 100 nm.
- Includes suspensions, emulsions, and foams.
- Prone to precipitation or floating due to significant particle size.
- Colloidal Solutions:
- Particle size: 1 nm - 100 nm.
- Susceptible to precipitation or surface emergence upon prolonged residence or under external factors.
- True Solutions:
- Particle size < 1 nm.
- Stable systems where the dispersed phase is broken down into ions or molecules.
- Also known as molecular or ionic solutions.
- Molecular and ionic solutions
- Disperse medium in liquid solutions is the solvent, while the disperse phase is the solute.
- Molecular solutions: Solute particles are individual molecules; no bonds are broken.
- Ionic solutions: Solute particles are ions; bonds are broken upon dissolution.(Dissolution) is a spontaneous process favoured by energetics.