dispersed particles
Noun (Chemistry, Physics): 1. The discrete, microscopic particles of one substance (the dispersed phase) that are distributed throughout another substance (the dispersion medium) in a colloidal system. These particles are larger than individual molecules but small enough to remain suspended and not settle out rapidly under gravity. They are the fundamental components of a colloid. 2. Synonymous with the "dispersed phase" in a colloidal dispersion.
The term is a technical noun phrase used to describe the state and components of colloidal mixtures (colloids). It specifies the particulate matter that is suspended, as opposed to the continuous medium in which it is suspended. * In a fog (a colloid), tiny water droplets are the dispersed particles in air. * The stability of paint depends on the size and charge of its dispersed particles of pigment. * The experiment studied how light scatters when it hits dispersed particles in a solution.
- "Dispersed particles" vs. "Dispersion Medium": In any colloid, the system consists of two parts: the dispersed particles (the solute-like phase) and the dispersion medium (the solvent-like phase). For example, in milk, fat globules are the dispersed particles and water is the dispersion medium.
- Particle Size Range: Typically, dispersed particles in a colloid have at least one dimension between approximately 1 and 1000 nanometers.
- Dispersed Phase (n): A fully synonymous technical term for dispersed particles.
- Colloid (n): The overall mixture containing the dispersed particles and the dispersion medium.
- Dispersion (n): The act or process of distributing dispersed particles throughout a medium; also used as another term for a colloidal system.
- Suspension (n): A mixture where particles are larger than colloidal dispersed particles and will eventually settle out.
- Dispersed phase
- Colloidal particles
- Internal phase (in some technical contexts)
- Dispersion medium
- Continuous phase
- (of colloids) a substance in the colloidal state