Consider a mixture of soil and water and compare it to a colloid, such as milk. Which property best differentiates these two mixtures?

Question

A.
Soil and water is a suspension because it consists of minute particles suspended in the medium. Milk is a colloid because it consists of larger particles suspended in the medium, which start to settle when allowed to stand.
B.
Soil and water is a colloid because it consists of minute particles suspended in the medium. Milk is a suspension because it consists of larger particles suspended in the medium, which start to settle when allowed to stand.
C.
Soil and water is a colloid because it has a uniform composition. Milk is a suspension because it doesn’t have a uniform composition.
D.
Soil and water is a suspension because it consists of larger particles suspended in the medium, which start to settle when allowed to stand. Milk is a colloid because it consists of minute particles that remain suspended in the medium.
E.
Soil and water is a suspension because it has a uniform composition. Milk is a colloid because it doesn’t have a uniform composition.

Answer 1

The correct choice is:

D. Soil and water is a suspension because it consists of larger particles suspended in the medium, which start to settle when allowed to stand. Milk is a colloid because it consists of minute particles that remain suspended in the medium.

Explanation:

• Soil and water forms a suspension because it contains larger solid particles (soil) that can settle out of the mixture if allowed to stand. Suspensions are characterized by the fact that their particles can separate and settle over time.
• Milk, on the other hand, is a colloid, where tiny particles (such as fat globules and proteins) are dispersed throughout the liquid and remain suspended without settling when allowed to stand. Colloids generally do not separate into distinct phases over time.

This distinction highlights the differences in particle size and behavior in mixtures.