What is the main characteristic of a colloidal solution?

The main characteristic of a colloidal solution is that microscopic particles are evenly dispersed throughout the medium. In a colloid, these particles are larger than those found in true solutions but smaller than in suspensions, typically ranging from 1 nanometer to 1 micrometer in diameter. The uniform dispersion of these small particles gives colloids their unique properties, such as the Tyndall effect, which is the scattering of light by the particles.

This even distribution means that the particles do not settle out over time like in suspensions, nor do they dissolve completely as in true solutions. In terms of filtration, colloidal particles are small enough to pass through ordinary filters, unlike larger particles found in suspensions, which can be removed by filtration. Recognizing the nature of colloids is crucial in understanding various applications in chemistry, such as in food science, pharmaceuticals, and material science, where the stability and behavior of these mixtures are significant.