If iced tea mix is stirred into water, it would form a homogeneous solution. The tea mix particles would be too small to separate out over time or be filtered from the water. Solutions like this form a single phase and do not separate into distinct parts. Mixtures can be classified as solutions, suspensions, or colloids based on the size of particles. Solutions have particles small enough to not separate or scatter light, suspensions have larger particles that settle out over time, and colloids have intermediate sized particles that do not separate but can scatter light.

2. Solutions, Suspensions, and Colloids

11. Examples of Colloids Dispersing Medium Gas Liquid Solid Gas shaving cream, whipped cream foam rubber, sponge, pumice Liquid fogs, clouds, aerosol can spray mayonnaise, milk, face cream, hair gel jelly, cheese, butter Solid smoke, car exhaust, airborne viruses Gold in water, milk of magnesia, river silt alloys of metals (steel, brass)