Question

Explain why particles of a colloidal solution do not settle down when left undisturbed, while in the case of a suspension they do?

Answer 1

Colloidal Solutions

1. Colloidal solutions are defined as a solution in which a particle is evenly suspended in a liquid.
2. The particle size of the colloidal solution is in the range of 1 to 1000 nanometers.
3. For example gelatin, whipped cream, butter, blood, Colored Glass, and many more.

Suspension

1. A suspension is defined as a heterogeneous mixture in which the solid particles settle down in the liquid after some time.
2. The particle size of suspensions is greater than 1000 nanometers.
3. For example mixture of chalk and water, a mixture of flour and water, a mixture of dust particles, and many more

Particles of a colloidal solution do not settle down while particles of a suspension solution settle downs

1. Particles of a colloidal solution do not settle down while particles of a suspension solution settle downs because of the size.
2. The size of colloidal particles is smaller.
3. Colloidal particles move in a zig-zag pattern to avoid the force of gravity and hence do not settle down.
4. But the particles in suspension are larger, they settle down under the force of gravity.

Therefore, due to the larger size of particles in the suspension solution, the particles settle down while in the case of colloidal solution size of particles is small and hence the particles do not settle down.