A colloid is one of the three main types of mixtures, with the other two being a solution
or suspension. A colloid is a solution that has particles ranging
between 1 and 1000 nanometers in diameter, yet are still able to remain
evenly distributed throughout the solution. A colloid is also known as a
colloidal dispersion because the substances remain dispersed and don't
settle to the bottom. In a colloid one substance is evenly dispersed in
another. The substance being dispersed is referred to as being in the
dispersed phase, while the substance in which it is dispersed is in the
continuous phase.
Properties of Colloids
In order to be classified as a colloid,
the substance in the dispersed phase must be larger than the size of a
molecule but smaller than what can be seen with the naked eye. This can
be more precisely quantified as one or more of the substance's
dimensions must be between 1 and 1000 nanometers. If the dimensions are
smaller than this the substance is considered a solution and if they are
larger than the substance is a suspension.
Types of Colloids
A
common method of classifying colloids is based on the phase of the
dispersed substance and what phase it is dispersed in. They types of
colloids includes sol, emulsion, foam, and aerosol.
- Sol is a colloidal suspension with solid particles in a liquid.
- Emulsion is between two liquids.
- Foam is formed when many gas particles are trapped in a liquid or solid.
- Aerosol contains small particles of liquid or solid dispersed in a gas.
When
the dispersion medium is water, the collodial system is referred to as a
hydrocolloid. The particles in the dispersed phase can take place in
different phases depending on how much water is available. For example,
Jello powder mixed in with water creates a hydrocolloid. A common use
for hydrocolloids is in the creation of medical dressings.
Dispersion Medium | Dispersed Phase | Type of Colloid | Example |
---|---|---|---|
Solid | Solid | Solid sol | Ruby glass |
Solid | Liquid | Solid emulsion/gel | Pearl, cheese |
Solid | Gas | Solid foam | Lava, pumice |
Liquid | Solid | Sol | Paints, cell fluids |
Liquid | Liquid | Emulsion | Milk, oil in water |
Liquid | Gas | Foam | Soap suds, whipped cream |
Gas | Solid | Aerosol | Smoke |
Gas | Liquid | Aerosol | Fog, mist |
Classifying Colloids
An easy way of determining whether a mixture is colloidal or not is through use of the Tyndall Effect.
When light is shined through a true solution, the light passes cleanly
through the solution, however when light is passed through a colloidal
solution, the substance in the dispersed phases scatters the light in
all directions, making it readily seen. An example of this is shining a
flashlight into fog. The beam of light can be easily seen because the
fog is a colloid.
Light being shined through water and
milk. The light is not reflected when passing through the water because
it is not a colloid. It is however reflected in all directions when it
passes through the milk, which is colloidal.
Another method of determining whether a
mixture is a colloid is by passing it through a semipermeable membrane.
The dispersed particles in a colloid would be unable to pass through the
membrane. Dialysis takes advantage of the fact that colloids cannot diffuse through semipermeable membranes to filter them out of a medium.
References
- Petrucci, et al. General Chemistry: Principles & Modern Applications. 9th ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 2007
Practice Problems
- Is dust a colloid? If so, what type is it?
- Is whipped cream a colloid? if so, what type is it?
- What does Sol mean?
- When hit by light what happens to a colloidal mixture?
- What is the mixture considered if the particles are larger than the particles of a colloidal substance
Answers
- Dust is a colloid. It consists of a solid in a gas, so it is a aerosol.
- Whipped cream is a colloid. It consists of a gas in a liquid, so it is a foam.
- Sol is a colloidal suspension with solid particles in a liquid.
- The light is reflected off the large particles and spread out.
- It's considered a suspension if the particles are larger than 1000 nanometers.Source : http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Physical_Chemistry/Physical_Properties_of_Matter/Solutions/Colloid