Types of Mixtures

Homogeneous mixtures of particles so small that they cannot be seen with a microscope and they will never settle out to the bottom of the container

Examples: vinegar, soda (unopened), and hydrogen peroxide

Solutions

Homogeneous mixtures with particles that are larger than those in solution, but still boo light to settle out

Examples: Milk (water and fat), fog (water and air), cool whip, shaving cream

*Determining colloids is sometimes difficult so shining a beam of light at a colloid will make the light scatter- this scattering of light by a colloid is called the Tyndall effect

Colloids

Heterogeneous mixture containing a liquid in which visible particles settle

Examples: Italian dressing, muddy pond water, chocolate milk

Hint: If it needs shaking to mix, then it is a suspension.

Note: Suspensions will also scatter light.

Suspensions

Type of mixture

Homogeneous or Heterogeneous?

Particle size

Settle out?

Scatter light?

Solution Homogeneous

Very small

No No

Colloid Homogeneous

Medium No Yes

Suspension

Heterogeneous

Large Yes Yes

Comparison