Exploring Mixtures and their Separation - Differentiate homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures, solutions, suspensions, and colloids

A mixture consists of more than one kind of pure form of matter. Substances in a mixture can be separated by physical methods.

A Homogeneous mixture has a uniform composition throughout its mass, with no visible boundaries of separation between the constituents (e.g., a solution of $Sugar$ in $H_{2}O$).

A Heterogeneous mixture contains physically distinct parts and has a non-uniform composition (e.g., a mixture of $Salt$ and $Iron$ filings, or $Oil$ and $Water$).

A Solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances. The component that dissolves the other component is the Solvent, and the component being dissolved is the Solute.

Properties of a solution: Particle size is smaller than $1\text{ nm}$ ($10^{-9}\text{ m}$) in diameter, they do not scatter light, and they are stable (solute does not settle).

A Suspension is a heterogeneous mixture in which the solute particles do not dissolve but remain suspended throughout the bulk of the medium. Particles are visible to the naked eye ($> 100\text{ nm}$).

A Colloid is a heterogeneous mixture where particle size is intermediate between a true solution and a suspension (between $1\text{ nm}$ and $1000\text{ nm}$). They exhibit the Tyndall Effect, which is the scattering of a beam of light.

Solubility is the maximum amount of a solute that can be dissolved in a given amount of solvent at a specific temperature. A solution is Saturated when no more solute can be dissolved at that temperature.