Solution vs. Suspension: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 3, 2024
A solution is a homogeneous mixture where substances dissolve, while a suspension is a heterogeneous mixture where particles are suspended but not dissolved.
Key Differences
A solution is a mixture where solutes are completely dissolved in a solvent, forming a uniform composition. In contrast, a suspension contains particles that are dispersed throughout the solvent but remain distinct and do not dissolve.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
In solutions, the particles (molecules or ions) are too small to be seen and do not settle out. In suspensions, the particles are larger, visible, and may settle over time if left undisturbed.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
Solutions are typically clear and allow light to pass through without scattering. Suspensions, however, can scatter light due to the larger size of their particles, often making them appear cloudy or opaque.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
Solutions are stable and do not separate into their individual components upon standing. Suspensions can separate, with the suspended particles settling to the bottom if not constantly stirred or shaken.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
Common solutions include saltwater or sugar dissolved in water. Examples of suspensions are muddy water or medical suspensions like some antibiotics.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Stability
Does not separate on standing
Particles settle if left undisturbed
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Solution and Suspension Definitions
Solution
A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances.
Salt dissolves in water to form a saline solution.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Suspension
An interruption or temporary cessation, as of an activity or of the application of a rule or law.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Solution
The act of solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Suspension
A temporary prohibition or exclusion, as from attending school or enjoying a privilege, especially as a punishment.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Suspension
The prolongation of one or more tones of a chord into a following chord to create a temporary dissonance.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Solution
The best or most effective way of achieving a goal.
A balanced diet is often the solution to many health issues.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Solution
A method or process of dealing with a problem
Sought a solution to falling enrollments.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Solution
The answer to a problem or the explanation for something
The solution to the mystery.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
The system of springs and other devices that insulates the chassis of a vehicle from shocks transmitted through the wheels.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Solution
A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances, which may be solids, liquids, gases, or a combination of these.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
(Chemistry) A system in which minute particles are dispersed throughout a fluid from which they are easily filtered but not easily settled because of system viscosity or molecular interactions.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
The act of suspending, or the state of being suspended.
Suspension from a hook
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Solution
The state of being dissolved
Nitrogen that is in solution in the ocean.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
A temporary or conditional delay, interruption or discontinuation.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
The state of a solid or substance produced when its particles are mixed with, but not dissolved in, a fluid, and are capable of separation by straining.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Solution
A homogeneous mixture, which may be liquid, gas or solid, formed by dissolving one or more substances.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Solution
An act, plan or other means, used or proposed, to solve a problem.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
The act of keeping a person who is listening in doubt and expectation of what is to follow.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
The temporary barring of a person from a workplace, society, etc. pending investigation into alleged misconduct.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Solution
(marketing) A product, service or suite thereof, especially software.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
(education) The process of barring a student from school grounds as a form of punishment (particularly out-of-school suspension).
Suspension from school as a disciplinary measure
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
(music) The act of or discord produced by prolonging one or more tones of a chord into the chord which follows, thus producing a momentary discord, suspending the concord which the ear expects.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Solution
The act of dissolving, especially of a solid by a fluid; dissolution.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
A stay or postponement of the execution of a sentence, usually by letters of suspension granted on application to the Lord Ordinary.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
(topology) A topological space derived from another by taking the product of the original space with an interval and collapsing each end of the product to a point.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
(topology) A function derived, in a standard way, from another, such that the instant function’s domain and codomain are suspensions of the original function’s.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Solution
The act of separating the parts of any body, or the condition of undergoing a separation of parts; disruption; breach.
In all bodies there is an appetite of union and evitation of solution of continuity.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
(vehicle) The system of springs and shock absorbers connected to the wheels in an automobile, which allows the vehicle to move smoothly with reduced shock to its occupants.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Solution
The act of solving, or the state of being solved; the disentanglement of any intricate problem or difficult question; explanation; clearing up; - used especially in mathematics, either of the process of solving an equation or problem, or the result of the process.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
The act of suspending, or the state of being suspended; pendency; as, suspension from a hook.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Solution
The state of being dissolved or disintegrated; resolution; disintegration.
It is unquestionably an enterprise of more promise to assail the nations in their hour of faintness and solution, than at a time when magnificent and seductive systems of worship were at their height of energy and splendor.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Solution
The act or process by which a body (whether solid, liquid, or gaseous) is absorbed into a liquid, and, remaining or becoming fluid, is diffused throughout the solvent; also, the product resulting from such absorption.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
A conditional withholding, interruption, or delay; as, the suspension of a payment on the performance of a condition.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
The state of a solid when its particles are mixed with, but undissolved in, a fluid, and are capable of separation by straining; also, any substance in this state.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
A keeping of the hearer in doubt and in attentive expectation of what is to follow, or of what is to be the inference or conclusion from the arguments or observations employed.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Solution
A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution;
He used a solution of peroxide and water
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
A stay or postponement of execution of a sentence condemnatory by means of letters of suspension granted on application to the lord ordinary.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Solution
A statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem;
They were trying to find a peaceful solution
The answers were in the back of the book
He computed the result to four decimal places
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
The prolongation of one or more tones of a chord into the chord which follows, thus producing a momentary discord, suspending the concord which the ear expects. Cf. Retardation.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Solution
A method for solving a problem;
The easy solution is to look it up in the handbook
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
A mixture in which fine particles are suspended in a fluid where they are supported by buoyancy
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Solution
The set of values that give a true statement when substituted into an equation
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
A time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Solution
The successful action of solving a problem;
The solution took three hours
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Solution
The means of solving a mathematical problem.
The solution to the equation was surprisingly simple.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Suspension
A mechanical system of springs or shock absorbers connecting the wheels and axles to the chassis of a wheeled vehicle
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
The act of suspending something (hanging it from above so it moves freely);
There was a small ceremony for the hanging of the portrait
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 13, 2023
Suspension
A mixture where particles are dispersed in a fluid but not dissolved.
The clay suspension in water was used for pottery.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Suspension
The act of temporarily stopping something.
The suspension of the service was due to technical issues.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Suspension
A system in vehicles to absorb shock.
The car's suspension ensures a smooth ride on bumpy roads.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Suspension
Temporarily excluding someone from a position or activity.
His suspension from the team was due to unsportsmanlike behavior.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Suspension
The act of hanging something from somewhere.
The artist's suspension of sculptures from the ceiling was mesmerizing.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 18, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What defines a suspension?
It's a heterogeneous mixture where particles are dispersed but not dissolved in a fluid.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
Can suspensions be filtered?
Yes, because the particles are large enough to be trapped by a filter.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
What happens to light passing through a solution?
It passes through without scattering, making the solution appear clear.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
How do solutions and suspensions differ in stability?
Solutions are stable and don't separate, while suspensions can separate over time.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
Do suspensions scatter light?
Yes, the larger particles in suspensions can scatter light.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
Are suspensions visible to the naked eye?
Often yes, as the particles are large enough to be visible.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
What is a solution in chemistry?
It's a homogeneous mixture where a solute is completely dissolved in a solvent.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
Are solutions always liquid?
No, solutions can be gaseous or solid as well.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
Can the components of a solution be seen under a microscope?
No, the particles in a solution are too small to be seen even under a microscope.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
12. How are solutions formed?
Solutions form when a solute dissolves completely in a solvent.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
Do suspensions require shaking or stirring before use?
Often yes, to redistribute the particles evenly throughout the fluid.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
What causes particles in a suspension to settle?
Gravity causes the larger particles in a suspension to settle over time.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
Is it possible to filter out the solute from a solution?
No, because the solute particles are too small to be filtered out.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
Is boiling point elevation a property of solutions?
Yes, solutions exhibit boiling point elevation due to the presence of a solute.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
Can the pH of a solution differ from its solvent?
Yes, the solute can alter the pH of the solution compared to the pure solvent.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
Why do suspensions appear cloudy?
The larger particles in suspensions scatter light, causing a cloudy appearance.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
Can the concentration of a solution vary?
Yes, solutions can be dilute or concentrated based on the amount of solute.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
How do you separate a solute from a solution?
Techniques like evaporation or distillation can separate a solute from a solution.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 03, 2024
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Shumaila Saeed
Hifza Nasir
