sospensions

Suspensions are a type of heterogeneous mixture where solid particles are dispersed in a liquid medium. These solid particles are typically large enough to be visible to the naked eye and will settle out over time if left undisturbed. This settling is a key characteristic that distinguishes suspensions from solutions and colloids.

In a suspension, the dispersed solid particles do not dissolve in the liquid. Instead, they remain suspended due to constant agitation or are prevented from settling by the viscosity of the medium. Examples of suspensions include muddy water, where soil particles are dispersed in water, or chalk powder in water. Sand in water is another common example.

The particles in a suspension are generally larger than those found in colloids, which are also heterogeneous mixtures but with smaller, uniformly dispersed particles that do not settle out. Unlike solutions, which are homogeneous mixtures where the solute is completely dissolved in the solvent and its particles are not visible, suspensions exhibit opacity and turbidity due to the presence of the undissolved solid.

Separating the solid particles from the liquid in a suspension can often be achieved through simple physical methods such as filtration or decantation. Filtration works by passing the mixture through a filter medium that retains the solid particles while allowing the liquid to pass through. Decantation involves carefully pouring off the liquid after the solid has settled to the bottom. Suspensions are important in various fields, including medicine, where some liquid medications are suspensions, and in industrial processes.