False colloid is a term used in chemistry to describe a substance that appears to be a colloid, but is actually not. The correct spelling of this term is /fɔlskəˈlɔɪd/ and is pronounced as "false kuh-loyd". The "c" in colloid is pronounced as a "k" sound, and the stress is on the second syllable. Knowing the correct spelling and pronunciation of scientific terms is important for effective communication in the field of chemistry.
The term "false colloid" refers to a substance or solution that appears to exhibit the characteristics of a colloid but is actually not, thereby misleadingly giving the impression of a colloidal system. A colloid, in chemistry, is a mixture in which microscopic particles or substances are evenly dispersed throughout a medium, known as the dispersion medium. Typically, true colloids can be distinguished by the fact that their dispersed particles do not settle out, forming a visible layer or sediment over time.
In the case of false colloids, however, the apparent dispersion of particles is a result of the substances being merely mixed and not genuinely distributed on a microscopic level. False colloids may present a similar appearance to true colloids due to their particles being finely divided or suspended in the medium, leading to an apparent uniformity in their distribution. This can make it difficult to differentiate between true and false colloids using visual inspection alone.
Common examples of false colloids include solutions or mixtures containing substances such as starch, gelatin, and certain emulsions. While these substances may exhibit some colloidal-like properties, their lack of true dispersion makes them distinguishable from authentic colloidal systems. Consequently, the term "false colloid" serves as a reminder of the importance of analyzing the true nature and behavior of a substance before categorizing it as a colloid.
Emulsion c.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "false colloid" is formed by combining the words "false" and "colloid".
The word "false" comes from the Old English word "fals", which originally meant "deceptive" or "fraudulent". It traces its roots back to the Latin word "falsus", meaning "false" or "feigned".
The word "colloid" has a different origin. It comes from the Greek word "kolla", which translates to "glue" or "glue-like substance". The term was coined in the 1860s by the Scottish scientist Thomas Graham, who used it to describe substances that have particles dispersed evenly in another substance.
When these two words are combined, "false colloid" is used to describe a substance that appears to be a colloid but is not truly a colloid.