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Difficulty: MediumTypes of Solutions: True Solutions, Suspensions, and Colloidal Systems

Match each mixture listed on the left with its correct classification or colloidal type on the right based on particle size and physical characteristics.

  • Starch mucilageSol (solid in liquid colloid)
  • Aqueous sodium chloride solutionTrue solution
  • Muddy waterSuspension
  • FogAerosol (liquid in gas colloid)

Answer

Starch mucilage matches with Sol (solid in liquid colloid); Aqueous sodium chloride solution matches with True solution; Muddy water matches with Suspension; Fog matches with Aerosol (liquid in gas colloid).
Starch mucilage is a colloidal sol because it contains solid macromolecular starch particles (1–100 nm1\text{--}100\text{ nm}) dispersed in liquid water. Aqueous sodium chloride is a true solution because its solute is completely dissociated into ions smaller than 1 nm1\text{ nm}. Muddy water is a suspension because its insoluble soil particles are larger than 100 nm100\text{ nm} and settle out under gravity. Fog is an aerosol because it consists of liquid water droplets suspended in gas (air).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the particle size, homogeneity, and physical stability of each mixture.
Identify whether the mixture has particles <1 nm<1\text{ nm} (true solution), 1–100 nm1\text{--}100\text{ nm} (colloid), or >100 nm>100\text{ nm} (suspension).
Particle dimensions dictate light scattering (Tyndall effect), filtration capabilities, and gravity settling.
2
Determine the dispersed phase and dispersion medium for colloidal systems.
Starch in water is solid dispersed in liquid (sol); water droplets in air are liquid dispersed in gas (aerosol).
Colloidal systems are classified based on the physical states of the dispersed phase and the dispersion medium.
3
Match each mixture to its corresponding system classification.
Starch mucilage →\rightarrow Sol; Aqueous NaCl →\rightarrow True solution; Muddy water →\rightarrow Suspension; Fog →\rightarrow Aerosol.
Verification against physical properties confirms all four correct pairs.

Key Concept

Distinction among true solutions, colloidal dispersions (sols, aerosols, emulsions), and suspensions based on particle size and physical behavior.
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Topics

Types of Solutions: True Solutions, Suspensions, and Colloidal Systems