Difference Between Suspension and Solution (With Table)

A suspension is a mixture formed by dangling solid particles in the liquid. Suspensions are a heterogeneous mixture as the two components do not mix evenly and appear as separate layers. In suspension, it is cloudy as the material does not completely dissolve in the liquid. The size of the solute is more than 1000 nm and separated through filtration.

A mixture of two substances is a solution. It is a homogeneous mixture as the dissolved material uniformly dissolves. The solvent is the dissolving material the solute is the substance that dissolves. The components are tough to be separated. The mixture is transparent, and the dissolving material completely dissolves in the liquid as the size of the solute is less than 1 nm.

Comparison Table Between Suspension and Solution

What is Suspension?

Suspension is heterogeneous means the components that do not mix. The particles are visible and do not dissolve in the liquid. The particle to be dissolved is more than 1000 nm. Thus the solvent does not dissolve entirely. When soil is dissolving in water, the large particles are visible in the water. The large particles get separated through filtration.

Suspension is non-uniform in color, and it may look cloudy or murky. The particles are visible and floating in the mixture. The ray of light gets scattered as the particles are large when passed through it, for example, muddy water.

Emulsions are a form of suspension. Two immiscible(unmixable) liquids are shaken together they form a cloudy mixture. When they become static, the two layers are visible. Oil and water are perfect examples of emulsion.

A few oral medicines are suspension in nature, for example, milk of magnesia to treat antacid. Many sweeteners, flavors, and dyes that help to enhance the tolerability of the pill for a patient are some examples of suspension.

Examples of suspension:

• A mixture of chalk and water
• Muddy water
• A mixture of dust particles and air
• Fog

What is Solution?

Our morning brew coffee is an apt example of the solution. The combination of coffee, sugar, and milk wakes all our senses.
A solution is a homogenous mixture of two components. The two components are the solvent and the solute(the substance dissolved in the solvent). A homogenous mixture has a uniform composition which means, the two are not distinguishable.

• Solute- Is the minor part of the solution, salt in the saltwater solution.
• Solvent- This is the crucial part of the solution, the water in the saltwater solution. 

The size of the solute is minuscule <1nm(Nanometre). We cannot distinguish the solvent or the solute even under the microscope. The even distribution of the solute in the solvent makes the mixture homogenous. The components are difficult to separate.

For Example, NaCl is a white solid substance. After the NaCl breaks down, you cannot see the matter. The liquid becomes a transparent solution. The solution is transparent as the solute is small, and this prevents the scattering of light. Water is the most evident solvent. There are a few gases, liquids, and even solids that can be solvents.

The property of the solution is useful in industries. Turpentine is a solution utilized in the production of paints, dyes, and inks. The water solution is helpful in the food, textile, soap, and detergent industry. The solid solution called alloys helps in the manufacturing of cars and other vehicles.

The best solutes are sugar, salt, KCl(Potassium Chloride). Some examples of solutions are:

• Gas in Gas- Air
• Gas in Liquid-Soda
• Liquid in Liquid-Alcohol
• Solid in Liquid-NaCl in water
• The liquid in Solid-Mercury in Silver
• Solids in Solid- Alloys, Steel.

Main Differences Between Suspension and Solution

1. A Suspension is a heterogeneous mixture.A Solution is a homogenous mixture.
2. The particles in a suspension are easily visible. The particles in a solution are not visible to the naked eyes.
3. The constituent of a suspension is visible and separated by filtration. The process of filtration cannot separate the components in a solution.
4.  The light disperses through the suspension due to particles present in it. The ray of light passes freely through the solution.
5.  In suspension the components do not mix, it remains cloudy or mucky, and the particles are visible. In a solution, the components easily mix, and it is transparent. 

Conclusion

Both suspension and solution are mixtures of two or more components. Suspensions are heterogeneous. The solute and solvent retain their individual properties even after combining them. Solutions are homogeneous, and the solute and solvent blend as one component.

The components of the suspension are easily separated through the process of filtration. The particles of a solution are not visible, and the particles of suspension are visible. Since the substances combine evenly, the method of filtration cannot be utilized to separate the same in a solution.

The properties of suspension and solution have their importance in many industries. Sports drinks like Gatorade are a combined solution of sugar, salt, and other soluble ingredients. The properties of suspensions are utilized in the pharmacy company. The suspension and solution with its unique properties are extremely important.

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/030442039400054H
2. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/1994/an/an9941901925