Science, Tech, Math › Science Colloid Examples in Chemistry Examples of Colloids and How to Tell Them From Solutions and Suspensions Print PLAINVIEW, Getty Images Science Chemistry Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on August 12, 2019 Colloids are uniform mixtures that don't separate or settle out. While colloidal mixtures are generally considered to be homogeneous mixtures, they often display heterogeneous quality when viewed on the microscopic scale. There are two parts to every colloid mixture: the particles and the dispersing medium. The colloid particles are solids or liquids that are suspended in the medium. These particles are larger than molecules, distinguishing a colloid from a solution. However, the particles in a colloid are smaller than those found in a suspension. In smoke, for examples, solid particles from combustion are suspended in a gas. Here are several other examples of colloids: Aerosols foginsecticide spraycloudssmokedust Foams whipped creamshaving cream Solid Foams marshmallowsStyrofoam Read More Colloid Definition - Chemistry Glossary By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Emulsions milkmayonnaiselotion Gels gelatinbutterjelly Sols inkrubberliquid detergentshampoo Solid Sols pearlgemstonessome colored glasssome alloys How to Tell a Colloid From a Solution or Suspension At first glance, it may seem difficult to distinguish between a colloid, solution, and suspension, since you can't usually tell the size of the particles simply by looking at the mixture. However, there are two easy ways to identify a colloid: Components of a suspension separate over time. Solutions and colloids don't separate. If you shine a beam of light into a colloid, it displays the Tyndall effect, which makes the beam of light visible in the colloid because light is scattered by the particles. An example of the Tyndall effect is the visibility of light from car headlamps through fog. How Colloids Are Formed Colloids usually form one of two ways: Droplets of particles may be dispersed into another medium by spraying, milling, high-speed mixing, or shaking.Small dissolved particles may be condensed into colloidal particles by redox reactions, precipitation, or condensation. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Colloid Examples in Chemistry." ThoughtCo, Aug. 25, 2020, thoughtco.com/definition-and-examples-of-colloids-609187. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 25). Colloid Examples in Chemistry. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-and-examples-of-colloids-609187 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Colloid Examples in Chemistry." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-and-examples-of-colloids-609187 (accessed April 19, 2024). copy citation