What are the Properties of a Suspension in Chemistry?
Suspensions is essential in chemistry and helps students understand various practical and theoretical applications related to this topic. Recognizing the features of suspensions allows students to clearly differentiate them from solutions and colloids, supporting accurate answers in exams and practicals.
What is Suspension in Chemistry?
A suspension in chemistry refers to a heterogeneous mixture in which solid particles are dispersed within a liquid or gas. These particles do not dissolve but float throughout the medium, making the mixture appear cloudy or opaque. This concept appears in chapters related to mixtures, separation techniques, and the properties of matter, making it a foundational part of your chemistry syllabus.
Properties of Suspension in Chemistry
Suspensions show unique features that distinguish them from other types of mixtures. Here are the main properties of suspension in chemistry:
- Suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures—the particles are not uniformly mixed.
- The particle size is usually greater than 100 nanometres (nm).
- Particles can settle down if the suspension is left undisturbed for some time.
- These mixtures often look opaque or cloudy.
- Particles are visible to the naked eye and can be separated by simple filtration.
- Suspensions show the Tyndall effect: particles scatter a beam of light, making its path visible.
- Suspensions are usually unstable—particles settle at the bottom eventually.
Examples of Suspension in Chemistry and Daily Life
Here are some commonly seen suspension examples:
- Muddy water
- Mixture of flour in water
- Chalk powder mixed with water
- Milk of magnesia
- Antacid suspensions
- Some salad dressings (containing oil, herbs, and spices)
- Slaked lime with water
- Snow globe liquid (with glitter)
- Paints (water-based)
Types of Suspensions
Suspensions can be classified in several ways. Understanding these types helps clarify why not all cloudy mixtures are the same:
- Based on Dispersion Medium:
Solid-in-liquid suspensions (e.g., sand in water), solid-in-gas (e.g., dust in air)
- By Particle Size:
Coarse suspensions (large, heavy particles); Fine suspensions (smaller but still visible particles)
- By Stability:
Unstable suspensions (particles settle fast), stable suspensions (particles take longer to settle, sometimes stabilized by a chemical agent)
Applications and Importance
Suspensions play an important role in everyday life and industries. In medicine, many drugs like antacids or antibiotics are given as suspensions, ensuring the correct dose in liquid form for easier swallowing. In paint and cosmetics industries, suspensions help in even coloring and texture. Nature also displays suspensions, such as muddy rivers carrying soil and minerals. Even in the food industry, items such as juices with pulp are good examples of suspensions.
Comparison: Suspension vs Solution vs Colloid
| Property | Suspension | Colloid | Solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of mixture | Heterogeneous | Heterogeneous (appears homogeneous) | Homogeneous |
| Particle size | > 100 nm | 1–100 nm | < 1 nm |
| Settling of particles | Settle on standing | Do not settle | Do not settle |
| Separation method | Filtration possible | Cannot filter | Cannot filter |
| Tyndall effect | Shows | Shows | Does not show |
| Examples | Muddy water, flour in water | Milk, fog, smoke | Sugar in water, salt in water |
Short Notes/Charts for Exam Revision
Suspension - Quick Revision:
- Heterogeneous mixture with large, visible particles
- Particles settle down on standing
- Can be separated by filtration
- Shows Tyndall effect
- Examples: Sand in water, chalk in water, muddy water
For a quick video explanation and worksheet on suspensions, visit Vedantu’s online Chemistry section.
Relation with Other Chemistry Concepts
Suspensions are closely related to topics such as types of mixtures, colloids and solutions. Understanding these connections helps students correctly identify and classify substances they encounter in labs and exam questions.
Step-by-Step Reaction Example
Suppose you want to separate sand from a sand-water suspension:
1. Allow the suspension to stand undisturbed.2. The sand particles will settle at the bottom due to gravity.
3. Carefully decant (pour off) the clear water at the top.
4. Filter the remaining mixture to completely separate any leftover sand.
5. Final answer: Sand is collected on the filter paper, clear water in the beaker.
Lab or Experimental Tips
Remember a suspension by its cloudy look and the way its particles settle down. Vedantu educators often suggest observing a flour-water mixture and waiting a few minutes for the flour to settle as a visual aid.
Try This Yourself
- Write the definition of suspension using your own words.
- Give two daily life examples of suspensions.
- Explain why suspensions can be separated by filtration but solutions cannot.
- Compare the Tyndall effect in suspensions vs solutions.
Final Wrap-Up
We explored suspension in chemistry—its definition, properties, types, and importance in real life. Understanding suspensions helps you identify common mixtures and separate them in the lab. For more in-depth guides and interactive learning on mixture types, visit Chemistry resources on Vedantu.
FAQs on Suspension in Chemistry: Meaning, Properties & Examples
1. What is a suspension in chemistry?
A suspension in chemistry is a heterogeneous mixture where solid particles are dispersed throughout a liquid or gas. These particles are visible to the naked eye and can eventually settle down if left undisturbed.
2. Give two examples of suspensions.
Common examples of suspensions include:
- Muddy water (soil particles mixed in water)
- Chalk powder in water (insoluble chalk particles dispersed in water)
3. What are the properties of a suspension?
Suspensions have the following key properties:
- Particles can be seen with the naked eye
- Solid particles settle on standing
- Particles can be separated by filtration
- Suspensions scatter light (showing the Tyndall effect)
4. How can suspensions be separated?
Suspensions can be separated using filtration because the solid particles are large enough to be trapped by filter paper. Sedimentation and decantation can also separate the solid from the liquid.
5. What is the difference between a solution, a colloid, and a suspension?
The main differences are:
- Solution: Particles completely dissolve, mixture looks clear
- Colloid: Very tiny particles dispersed, does not settle, appears cloudy
- Suspension: Large particles visible, settle on standing, can be filtered
6. Does a suspension show the Tyndall effect?
Yes, suspensions exhibit the Tyndall effect as their large particles scatter a beam of light passing through them, making the path of the light visible.
7. Are suspensions homogeneous or heterogeneous mixtures?
Suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures because the components are not uniformly distributed, and solid particles can be seen separately from the liquid or gas medium.
8. What happens if a suspension is left undisturbed for some time?
When left undisturbed, the suspended solid particles will settle to the bottom of the container, leaving a clear liquid or supernatant above.
9. What is the particle size in suspensions?
In suspensions, particle sizes range from about 1 micrometer (μm) to 1000 micrometers (μm), which makes them visible and allows separation by filtration.
10. How are suspensions used in daily life and medicine?
Suspensions are widely used in both daily life and medicine:
- Medicine: Antacid syrups, antibiotics, and other liquid medicines are suspensions to help administer insoluble drugs
- Everyday uses: Paints, muddy water, and some food items like orange juice with pulp are common examples
11. Why do suspensions need to be shaken before use?
Suspensions need to be shaken before use because the solid particles settle to the bottom over time. Shaking ensures the particles redistribute evenly throughout the liquid for an even dose or mixture.
12. Can suspensions conduct electricity?
Some suspensions containing ionic compounds can conduct electricity if the solid particles dissociate into ions. However, most suspensions are poor conductors compared to solutions, as their solid particles are not usually free to move.
