Question

How are sol, solution and suspension different from each other?

Answer 1

Sol	True solution	Suspensions
1. Sol is a colloidal solution in which solid colloidal particles are dispersed in a liquid dispersion medium. It is a heterogeneous mixture	1. True solution is a homogeneous mixture.	1. A suspensions is a heterogeneous mixture.
2. Sol can be either transparent or translucent to light.	2. True solutions are transparent to light.	2. Suspensions are opaque to light.
3. The diameter of sol particles is ${10}^{-6}-{10}^{-9}\mathrm{m}$.	3. The diameter of the particles of solute in a true solution is less than ${10}^{-9}\mathrm{m}$.	3. The diameter of the solute particles of suspensions is $>{10}^{-6}\mathrm{m}$ (greater than ${10}^{-6}\mathrm{m}$)
4. Sol show the Tyndall effect as the size of particles is large enough to scatter the light.	4. True solution does not show the Tyndall effect (scattering of light and making its path visible) as the size of the particles is very small.	4. In general, suspensions do not show the Tyndall effect. However, it is observed in suspensions with fine sized particles.
5. Particles are not visible with naked eye but are visible under a powerful microscope.	5. Particles are not visible with naked eye.	5. Particles are visible to the naked eyes due to the greater particle size.
6. Brownian movement (the zig-zag movement of particles in the solution) is observed for the sol as solid particles move in the liquid.	6. Brownian movement is not observed for true solutions.	6. In general, Brownian movement is not shown by suspensions because of large particle size. However, it is observed in suspensions with fine sized particles.
7. The particles settle down only under high speed rotations during centrifugation process.	7. The particles of solute do not settle down or separate from true solution when left undisturbed.	7. Particles of suspensions that remain suspended in the solvent settle down at the bottom of the container under the influence of gravity when left undisturbed.
8. Example: Milk of magnesia (Magnesium hydroxide) $\left[\mathrm{Mg}{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_2\right]$ in water, mud etc.	8. Example: Salt solution in water, solution of Copper sulphate $\left({\mathrm{CuSO}}_4\right)$.	8. Examples: Muddy water, mixture of limestone or Calcium carbonate $\left({\mathrm{CaCO}}_3\right)$ in Water $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$.