Author:
Peter Berry
Date Of Creation:
16 February 2021
Update Date:
17 May 2024
Content
In chemistry, a suspension It is a type of heterogeneous mixture formed by one or more substances in solid state that are dispersed in a substance in liquid or gaseous state. In a suspension, the solid (dispersed phase) is not diluted in the liquid medium (dispersing phase). For example: orange juice, since the pulp floats and is not integrated into the liquid medium, powdered medicines.
A suspension is a heterogeneous mixture because it is possible to distinguish the particles that make it up. They tend to be unstable mixtures, since due to their size the solid particles in a suspension tend to settle easily when the mixture is at rest.
- It can serve you: Mixtures of solids with liquids
Characteristics of a suspension
- They are easily recognizable mixtures because they are usually opaque.
- Although most are made up of solid and liquid substances (mechanical suspensions), it can also be liquid + liquid and solid or liquid + gas. An example of a solid substance dispersed in a gas is the aerosol.
- In different industries substances such as surfactants and thickeners are used to prevent the solids in the mixture from settling.
- Many need to be mixed or shaken to return to their suspended state.
- They differ from solutions because the solid particles are larger, and in solutions the solid does dissolve in the liquid, giving rise to a homogeneous mixture.
- They differ from colloids in that the solid particles are finer (diameter between 10⁻⁹ and 10⁻⁵ nanometer).
- The substances that compose it can be separated by physical methods such as filtration, centrifugation and decantation.
Examples of suspensions
- Watercolor + water
- Dust + air
- Sand + water
- Oil + water
- Mercury + oil
- Water + earth
- Volcano ash + air
- Soot + air
- Flour + water
- Chalk powder + water
- Painting
- Body lotion
- Milk of magnesia
- Horchata water
- Face cream
- Fluid makeup
- Hair spray
- Insulin suspension
- Amoxicillin suspension
- Penicillin suspension
- Follows with: Solute and solvent