COLLOIDAL SUSPENSION Meaning and
Definition
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A colloidal suspension refers to a mixture in which small particles, typically ranging from about 1 nanometer to 1 micrometer in size, are dispersed and stabilized within a continuous medium. It is a type of heterogeneous mixture wherein the particles are uniformly distributed throughout the medium, but they do not dissolve or settle at the bottom.
The term "colloidal" originates from the word "colloid," which describes substances in a distinct state between a solution and a suspension. In a colloidal suspension, the dispersed particles have either solid, liquid, or gas composition and retain their original state. These particles, known as colloids, do not settle due to their relatively small size and Brownian motion, which allows them to remain suspended indefinitely or for an extended period.
The continuous medium in which the colloidal particles are dispersed can vary, including gases, liquids, or solids. Furthermore, colloidal suspensions exhibit several key properties. They are typically opaque, which means they scatter light, giving them a cloudy or milky appearance. They can also show a phenomenon called the Tyndall effect, where the dispersed particles scatter light, making the beam visible when it passes through the suspension.
Colloidal suspensions find numerous applications in various fields such as pharmaceuticals, paints, cosmetics, food science, and nanotechnology. They are used as stabilizers, emulsifiers, catalysts, or carriers for delivering drugs. Additionally, colloidal suspensions' ability to maintain a uniform distribution of particles make them favorable in many industrial and scientific processes.
Common Misspellings for COLLOIDAL SUSPENSION
- xolloidal suspension
- volloidal suspension
- folloidal suspension
- dolloidal suspension
- cilloidal suspension
- cklloidal suspension
- cllloidal suspension
- cplloidal suspension
- c0lloidal suspension
- c9lloidal suspension
- cokloidal suspension
- coploidal suspension
- cooloidal suspension
- colkoidal suspension
- colpoidal suspension
- colooidal suspension
- colliidal suspension
- collkidal suspension
- colllidal suspension
Etymology of COLLOIDAL SUSPENSION
The word "colloidal" has its roots in the Greek word "kólla", which means glue or gum. It was first used in the mid-19th century by Scottish chemist Thomas Graham to describe particles that are intermediate in size between true solutions and suspensions. Graham derived the term from the Latin word "collōidēs", which means "gluing together".
The term "suspension" comes from the Latin word "suspensio", which means a hanging or a hanging up. In the context of colloidal suspensions, it refers to the state where solid particles are dispersed and appear to be suspended in a liquid or gas medium, rather than settling or dissolving.
Similar spelling word for COLLOIDAL SUSPENSION
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