Question

Explain the differences between colloid and true solution.

Answer 1

Differences between colloid and true solution:

Colloid	True solution
1. A colloid is a heterogeneous mixture.	1. It is a homogeneous mixture.
2. The components of a colloidal solution are dispersed phase and dispersion medium.	2. The components of a true solution are solute and a solvent.
3. The diameter of the particles dispersed in the dispersion medium is ${10}^{-6}-{10}^{-9}\mathrm{m}$	3. The diameter of the solute particles is less than ${10}^{-9}\mathrm{m}$.
4. The particles of a colloid are not visible to the naked eye but are visible under a powerful microscope.	4. The particles of true solution are neither visible to the naked eye nor under a powerful microscope.
5. A colloidal solution is translucent to the light i.e.; it allows the light to pass through it only partially.	5. A true solution is transparent to light i.e.; it allows the light to pass through it fully.
6. Colloids scatter a beam of light and make its path visible because size of particles is large enough to do so i.e.; they show the Tyndall effect.	6. True solution does not scatter a beam of light and does not make its path visible because of the small size of particles i.e.; they do not show the Tyndall effect.
7. Brownian movement i.e.; the random zig-zag movement of particles of colloid in the dispersion medium is observed.	7. Brownian movement is not observed in case of true solutions.
8. Examples: Blood, milk, fog etc.	8. Examples: Salt solution, sugar solution etc.