How do solutions differ from suspensions?

1 Answer
anor277
Aug 3, 2018

Well solutions are #"homogeneous"#, i.e. all its components are in the SAME phase...

Explanation:

The air we breathe is an homogeneous solution of dioxygen, dinitrogen, and a few other gases. A soft-drink is an homogeneous solution of water, sugar, and (maybe) carbon dioxide.

On the other hand, a suspension is an inhomogeneous mixture, i.e. #"an heterogeneous mixture"#, in which the components are NOT in the same phase. The solute particles are not dissolved, and the particle size is in general small. A aerosol stream from a can in air is an example of a suspension, and so is sand in water. Over time, depending on the size of the particles, the particles might settle out.

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