1. Two properties that make solutions different from colloids:
- Particle size: Solutions have very small particles (atoms, ions, molecules), while colloids have larger particles that are still too small to be seen with the naked eye.
- Filtration: Particles in a solution pass through filter paper, whereas colloid particles do not.
2. Three properties that solutions and colloids have in common:
- Both are homogeneous mixtures.
- Both contain dispersed particles suspended in a medium.
- Both can appear clear or translucent under certain conditions.
3. Property that colloids and suspensions have in common:
- Both contain larger particles compared to solutions; in colloids, particles are intermediate in size, and in suspensions, they are large enough to settle out over time.
4. If the label on product X says “Shake before using,” it is likely a suspension because the particles are large and will settle out over time, requiring shaking to redistribute them evenly.
5. You can see the beam of a car’s headlights in fog but not in clean air because fog is a colloid — it contains tiny water droplets dispersed in air that scatter the light (Tyndall effect). Clean air is a solution (gases mixed uniformly) and does not scatter the light visibly.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of in school suspension worksheet.
