Types of colloids:
Colloids are usually classified according to the original states of their constituent parts:
Dispersing medium | Dispersed phase | Name |
Solid | Solid | Solid sol |
Solid | Liquid | Gel |
Solid | Gas | Solid foam |
Liquid | Solid | Sol |
Liquid | Liquid | Emulsion |
Liquid | Gas | Foam |
Gas | Solid | Solid aerosol |
Gas | Liquid | Aerosol |
- Dispersing medium (external phase) - the constituent found in the greater extent in the colloid.
- Dispersed phase (internal phase) - the constituent found in the lesser extent.
- A further classification is as lyophilic (solvent attracting), lyophobic (solvent repelling) or association colloids (a mixture of the two).
- If water is the dispersing medium, it is often known as a hydrosol.
Preparation
Contents