Suspensions - Introduction, Examples And Properties - Vedantu

Suspensions is essential in chemistry and helps students understand various practical and theoretical applications related to this topic. Recognizing the features of suspensions allows students to clearly differentiate them from solutions and colloids, supporting accurate answers in exams and practicals.

What is Suspension in Chemistry?

A suspension in chemistry refers to a heterogeneous mixture in which solid particles are dispersed within a liquid or gas. These particles do not dissolve but float throughout the medium, making the mixture appear cloudy or opaque. This concept appears in chapters related to mixtures, separation techniques, and the properties of matter, making it a foundational part of your chemistry syllabus.

Properties of Suspension in Chemistry

Suspensions show unique features that distinguish them from other types of mixtures. Here are the main properties of suspension in chemistry:

• Suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures—the particles are not uniformly mixed.
• The particle size is usually greater than 100 nanometres (nm).
• Particles can settle down if the suspension is left undisturbed for some time.
• These mixtures often look opaque or cloudy.
• Particles are visible to the naked eye and can be separated by simple filtration.
• Suspensions show the Tyndall effect: particles scatter a beam of light, making its path visible.
• Suspensions are usually unstable—particles settle at the bottom eventually.

Examples of Suspension in Chemistry and Daily Life

Here are some commonly seen suspension examples:

• Muddy water
• Mixture of flour in water
• Chalk powder mixed with water
• Milk of magnesia
• Antacid suspensions
• Some salad dressings (containing oil, herbs, and spices)
• Slaked lime with water
• Snow globe liquid (with glitter)
• Paints (water-based)

Types of Suspensions

Suspensions can be classified in several ways. Understanding these types helps clarify why not all cloudy mixtures are the same:

• Based on Dispersion Medium: Solid-in-liquid suspensions (e.g., sand in water), solid-in-gas (e.g., dust in air)
• By Particle Size: Coarse suspensions (large, heavy particles); Fine suspensions (smaller but still visible particles)
• By Stability: Unstable suspensions (particles settle fast), stable suspensions (particles take longer to settle, sometimes stabilized by a chemical agent)

Applications and Importance

Suspensions play an important role in everyday life and industries. In medicine, many drugs like antacids or antibiotics are given as suspensions, ensuring the correct dose in liquid form for easier swallowing. In paint and cosmetics industries, suspensions help in even coloring and texture. Nature also displays suspensions, such as muddy rivers carrying soil and minerals. Even in the food industry, items such as juices with pulp are good examples of suspensions.

Comparison: Suspension vs Solution vs Colloid

Property	Suspension	Colloid	Solution
Type of mixture	Heterogeneous	Heterogeneous (appears homogeneous)	Homogeneous
Particle size	> 100 nm	1–100 nm	< 1 nm
Settling of particles	Settle on standing	Do not settle	Do not settle
Separation method	Filtration possible	Cannot filter	Cannot filter
Tyndall effect	Shows	Shows	Does not show
Examples	Muddy water, flour in water	Milk, fog, smoke	Sugar in water, salt in water

Short Notes/Charts for Exam Revision

Suspension - Quick Revision:

• Heterogeneous mixture with large, visible particles
• Particles settle down on standing
• Can be separated by filtration
• Shows Tyndall effect
• Examples: Sand in water, chalk in water, muddy water

For a quick video explanation and worksheet on suspensions, visit Vedantu’s online Chemistry section.

Relation with Other Chemistry Concepts

Suspensions are closely related to topics such as types of mixtures, colloids and solutions. Understanding these connections helps students correctly identify and classify substances they encounter in labs and exam questions.

Step-by-Step Reaction Example

Suppose you want to separate sand from a sand-water suspension:

1. Allow the suspension to stand undisturbed. 2. The sand particles will settle at the bottom due to gravity. 3. Carefully decant (pour off) the clear water at the top. 4. Filter the remaining mixture to completely separate any leftover sand. 5. Final answer: Sand is collected on the filter paper, clear water in the beaker.

Lab or Experimental Tips

Remember a suspension by its cloudy look and the way its particles settle down. Vedantu educators often suggest observing a flour-water mixture and waiting a few minutes for the flour to settle as a visual aid.

Try This Yourself

• Write the definition of suspension using your own words.
• Give two daily life examples of suspensions.
• Explain why suspensions can be separated by filtration but solutions cannot.
• Compare the Tyndall effect in suspensions vs solutions.

Final Wrap-Up

We explored suspension in chemistry—its definition, properties, types, and importance in real life. Understanding suspensions helps you identify common mixtures and separate them in the lab. For more in-depth guides and interactive learning on mixture types, visit Chemistry resources on Vedantu.