Difference Between Colloid and Suspension (With Table)

Colloid and Suspension both are heterogeneous mixture. It has its features and several effects which can be observed through them. Tyndall effect occurs and can be observed in the colloidal particles only. The main thing is that colloid and suspension are mixtures, not proper solutions. Brownian movement is a type of movement which can be particularly seen in colloids.

Colloid vs Suspension

The main difference between Colloid and Suspension is that the particles can be separated using filtration, but in suspension, the particles cannot be separated using the filtration method. The Colloid can scatter light through its particles, whereas Suspension has no such ability to scatter light through its particles.

A Colloid is termed a heterogeneous mixture in which mixed particles cannot be separated using filtration. The particle size in the colloid is intermediate as compared to suspension. Particles get evenly spread during the dispersion, which can be any state. These particles are not large enough to be visible by human eyes. They do not settle down when kept still.

Suspension is a heterogeneous mixture as the particles can be separated using filtration and even can be observed when kept still. The particles are visible in human eyes as it is larger. The particle does not follow any uniformity, due to which it is considered as a heterogeneous mixture.

Comparison Table Between Colloid and Suspension

Parameters of Comparison

Colloid

Suspension

Definition

The heterogeneous mixture in which mixed particles cannot be separated using filtration.

The heterogeneous mixture as the particles can be separated using filtration.

Filtration

Particles cannot be separated.

Particles can be separated.

Separation Through Standing

No

Yes

Scatter Light

Particles can scatter light.

Particles cannot be scattered.

Size of Particle

1-1000nm

more than 1000nm

Brownian Movement

Yes

May be or may not be

What is Colloid?

It is a heterogeneous mixture that has a small size of particles. These particles are so small that it is not visible through human eyes. The sizes vary from 1-1000nm. These particles spread evenly and uniformly throughout the mixture. These particles cannot be separated using the filtration method as the particles get spread uniformly.

These particles have the ability to scattering light which is known as the Tyndall effect. Mostly the colloid is considered homogeneous solutions as the particles cannot be seen. The particles able to scatter light as the size of the particles are so small that it cannot deflect light. The real-life examples of colloids are smoke and fog.

The colloid can form any state like solid and liquid, solid emulsion, liquid aerosol, solid aerosol. The colloids are observed under a scientific microscope, and it moves in random movement. This movement of colloid particles is known as Brownian motion. An emulsion is a type of class of colloids.

The colloidal mixture of liquid in liquid or solid is termed an emulsion. The particle size in the colloid is intermediate as compared to suspension. Some examples of emulsions are butter and mayonnaise. The particles do not get separated when it is kept still.

What is Suspension?

A mixture of two or more substances together forms a heterogeneous medium. The particles can be separated using the filtration method. These particles get separated so clearly as it is large enough and visible through human eyes. The size of particles is more than 1000nm.

The particles in suspension get separated when kept still. The particles get separated due to gravity. The examples of suspension are sand and water, oil and water, and many more. These particles do not spread uniformly in the dispersed medium. More examples are milk of magnesia, flour in water.

The mixture of suspension is opaque, due to which it cannot scatter light through its particles. In suspension, the particles get settle down easily. The difference between the particles can be seen clearly. The particles are visible in human eyes as it is larger. The particle does not follow any uniformity, due to which it is considered as a heterogeneous mixture.

The stability of suspension is metastable. It is a two-phase system. The sediments settle down in the mixture, which makes it visibly observe the suspension. It doesn’t need to show the Brownian movement. Light cannot pass through suspension as it is opaque.

Main Differences Between Colloid and Suspension

  1. The diameter of particles in a colloid is 1-1000nm, whereas the diameter of particles in suspension is more than 1000nm in size.
  2. The colloid looks clear, whereas the suspension looks opaque.
  3. The particles can be seen easily in suspension and not in the colloid.
  4. Colloid depends on the size of particles, and suspension depends on the colour of the settle down particles.
  5. Colloid shows Brownian moments, whereas suspension depends may or may not Brownian movements.

Conclusion

These particles have the ability to scattering light which is known as the Tyndall effect. Mostly the colloid is considered homogeneous solutions as the particles cannot be seen. The particles able to scatter light as the size of the particles are so small that it cannot deflect light. The real-life examples of colloids are smoke and fog.

The colloid can form any state like solid and liquid, solid emulsion, liquid aerosol, solid aerosol. The colloids are observed under a scientific microscope, and it moves in random movement. This movement of colloid particles is known as Brownian motion. An emulsion is a type of class of colloids. The colloidal mixture of liquid in liquid or solid is termed an emulsion.

The particle size in the colloid is intermediate as compared to suspension. The particles in suspension get separated when kept still. The particles get separated due to gravity. The examples of suspension are sand and water, oil and water, and many more. These particles do not spread uniformly in the dispersed medium. Milk of magnesia, flour in water are examples of suspension.

The mixture of suspension is opaque, due to which it cannot scatter light through its particles. In suspension, the particles get settle down easily. The difference between the particles can be seen clearly. The particles are visible in human eyes as it is larger. The particle does not follow any uniformity, due to which it is considered as a heterogeneous mixture. The stability of suspension is metastable.

References

  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0001868694800081
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0095852251900360