colloidal suspension
- noun
- /kəˈlɔɪdəl səˈspɛnʃən/
- Specialized
:
suspensión coloidal
- Milk is an example of a colloidal suspension, where fat droplets are dispersed in water.
Examples
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Gelatin desserts are made using a colloidal suspension of gelatin particles in liquid, which thickens as it cools.
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Scientists examined the stability of the colloidal suspension under different temperatures.
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A colloidal suspension can remain evenly distributed without settling for a long period.
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A colloidal suspension consists of tiny particles in a liquid.
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Milk is a common example of a colloidal suspension.
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An emulsified sauce like mayonnaise is a type of colloidal suspension where oil droplets are dispersed in vinegar.
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In a laboratory experiment, students observed how a colloidal suspension maintains its consistency when stirred.
Synonyms
6
5.7
A mixture of tiny solid particles that float in a liquid
1
9.8
A liquid with tiny solid pieces spread through it like milk
1
5.8
A liquid with very small solid particles spread evenly through it that do not sink
1
7.7
A mixture with tiny particles spread through another substance, not dissolved, like milk and gel
A liquid with tiny particles spread evenly in water
How Solid
- Specialized
9
1.0
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
1
5.8
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is compositional: 'colloidal' specifies that the particles are microscopically dispersed and 'suspension' denotes a mixture with undissolved particles, so together they directly describe a mixture of tiny particles dispersed in a liquid. This follows standard adjective+noun scientific compounding and would be understandable to a B1 learner who already knows both constituent words.
Etymology
Colloidal suspension gives a simple image: colloidal means very tiny solid bits and suspension means they are 'suspended' in a liquid, like fat drops in milk that float in the water but do not dissolve, so the phrase means a mix where small particles 'stay mixed' rather than dissolving.