Explore Imaging, Optics, and Illumination Strategies at the Vision Spectra Conference (July 16-18)
Search
Menu
Lumencor Inc. - Power of Light 4-24 LB
Photonics Dictionary

colloid

A colloid is a mixture in which one substance of microscopically dispersed insoluble particles is suspended throughout another substance. The particles in a colloid are larger than those in a solution (typically ranging from 1 nanometer to 1 micrometer in diameter) but are small enough that they do not settle out upon standing and cannot be separated by ordinary filtering or centrifuging.

Dispersed phase: The substance that is dispersed in the mixture (e.g., solid particles, liquid droplets, or gas bubbles).

Continuous phase: The substance in which the dispersed phase is distributed (e.g., liquid, gas, or solid).

Tyndall effect: The scattering of light by the particles in a colloid, which makes the path of the light visible.

Brownian motion: The random movement of particles in a colloid due to collisions with the molecules of the continuous phase.

Examples of colloids include milk (liquid in liquid), fog (liquid in gas), and jelly (solid in liquid).

Explore Our Content
News
Features
Latest Products
Webinars
White Papers
All Things Photonics Podcast
Videos
Our Summits & Conferences
Industry Events
Bookstore
Join Our Community
Subscribe
Advertise
Become a member
Sign in
Contribute a Feature
Suggest a Webinar
Submit a Press Release
Mobile Apps

About Us
Our Company
Our Publications
Contact Us
Career Opportunities
Teddi C. Laurin Scholarship

Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)



©2024 Photonics Media
100 West St.
Pittsfield, MA, 01201 USA
[email protected]
We use cookies to improve user experience and analyze our website traffic as stated in our Privacy Policy. By using this website, you agree to the use of cookies unless you have disabled them.