What is the Difference Between Sol Solution and Suspension?

The main difference between a sol solution and a suspension lies in the size and stability of the particles in each composition. Here are the key differences:

• Solution: A solution is a homogeneous mixture where the particles are below 1 nanometer in size and are invisible to the naked eye. Solutions are stable and do not show the Tyndall effect. Examples of solutions include salt or sugar dissolved in water.
• Sol: A sol is a colloidal solution where solid colloidal particles are dispersed in a liquid dispersion medium. The particles in a sol have dimensions around 1 nanometer to 1 micrometer, making them invisible to the naked eye. A sol is a heterogeneous mixture and can be either transparent or translucent to light. Sol exhibits the Tyndall effect due to the large size of its particles.
• Suspension: A suspension is a heterogeneous mixture where the particles have a size greater than 100 nanometers and can be visible with the naked eye. Suspensions are unstable and can be separated by filtration or sedimentation. Examples of suspensions include sand in water or dusty air.

In summary, a solution has homogeneous particles that are invisible to the naked eye, a sol has heterogeneous particles that are invisible to the naked eye, and a suspension has heterogeneous particles that can be visible with the naked eye. A solution is stable, while a sol and suspension are unstable.

Comparative Table: Sol Solution vs Suspension

Here is a table comparing the differences between a sol solution and a suspension:

A sol solution is a heterogeneous mixture with particles in the size range of 10-7 to 10-5 cm, which are visible with an ultramicroscope. It is quite stable in nature and exhibits the Tyndall effect.

A suspension is also a heterogeneous mixture but has particles larger than 100 nm, making them visible with the naked eye. Suspensions are unstable and can be separated by filtration or sedimentation.