Question

What technique can be used to distinguish between a suspension and a colloid?

• A. By illuminating them by a beam of light to observe scattering of light.
• B. By freezing the mixture to a solid state.
• C. By heating the mixture to boiling.
• D. By shaking and observing the components if they separate.

Answer 1

The correct option is D

By shaking and observing the components if they separate.

A colloid and suspension can be distinguished by shaking both the mixtures and then keeping them undisturbed to observe if their components separate. The particles of a suspension are larger in size and settle to the bottom after some time while the particles in a colloid are relatively stable and do not settle easily.

For example, milk is a colloid and a mixture of sand and water is a suspension. If they are kept undisturbed for some time, sand settles to the bottom while the components of milk do not settle.