What is the Difference Between Dispersed Phase and Dispersion Medium?

The main difference between the dispersed phase and the dispersion medium lies in their continuous and discontinuous nature.

• Dispersed Phase: This is the phase that consists of particles that are distributed through another phase. It is a discontinuous phase, meaning that it is not present in a continuous state but rather as distinct particles or droplets. For example, in a colloidal dispersion like milk, the oil droplets are the dispersed phase.
• Dispersion Medium: This is the medium in which the particles of the dispersed phase are distributed. It is a continuous phase, meaning that it exists in a continuous state, such as a solid, liquid, or gas. In the example of milk, the water is the dispersion medium.

In summary:

• The dispersed phase is the discontinuous phase composed of particles distributed through another phase.
• The dispersion medium is the continuous phase in which the particles of the dispersed phase are distributed.

Comparative Table: Dispersed Phase vs Dispersion Medium

The difference between the dispersed phase and the dispersion medium can be summarized in the following table:

The dispersed phase is the discontinuous phase that distributes throughout the dispersion medium, while the dispersion medium is the continuous phase of a colloid. The particles in the dispersed phase have a diameter around 1-100 nm and can be classified into three main types: multimolecular colloids, macromolecular colloids, and nanoparticle colloids. The dispersion medium can be in any state of matter: solid, liquid, or gas.