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name the components of a colloidal solution. define them.

Colloidal solutions are heterogeneous systems consisting of two phases. These are,

(a) Dispersed phase          (b) Dispersion medium.

(a) Dispersed phase . The material which is present in very fine state of aggregation is called dispersed phase. Thus, the particles in any colloidal system constitute the dispersed phase. For example, in a colloidal solution of sulphur in water, the sulphur particles are of colloidal dimensions. Therefore, sulphur is the dispersed phase.

(b) Dispersion medium. The continuous medium in which the particles of the dispersed phase are distributed is called the dispersion medium. For example, in the aqueous colloidal solution of sulphur, water is the dispersion medium.

Depending upon the physical states of the dispersed phase, and of the dispersion medium, various colloidal system become possible.

Types of colloidal systems.