Kolloidiosakeste

Kolloidiosakeste, often referred to as colloidal particles, are particles that are intermediate in size between those in a true solution and those in a suspension. They typically range from 1 nanometer to 1 micrometer in diameter. While they are too small to be seen with the naked eye, they are larger than individual molecules or ions. When dispersed in a medium, such as a liquid or gas, these particles remain suspended and do not settle out over time due to gravity, unlike particles in a suspension. This stability is due to the Brownian motion, the random movement of particles caused by collisions with the molecules of the surrounding medium, and sometimes electrostatic repulsion between the colloidal particles themselves.

A key characteristic of colloidal dispersions is their ability to exhibit the Tyndall effect, where a beam of light passing through the dispersion becomes visible because the colloidal particles scatter the light. True solutions do not show this effect, as their particles are too small to scatter light significantly. Colloidal systems are ubiquitous in nature and industry. Examples include milk, fog, smoke, paint, and mayonnaise. The study of colloids is known as colloid chemistry, which explores the physical and chemical properties of these dispersed systems and their behavior. Understanding colloids is crucial in various fields, including medicine, food science, and materials science.