Final answer:
The liquid in paint that keeps pigments and binders in suspension without dissolving them is called the 'medium' (option c). In paints, the medium ensures smooth application and consistency, while binders help the paint adhere and fix to surfaces after the medium evaporates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The liquid in paint that holds the pigment and binder together without dissolving them is called the medium. The correct answer to the question is option c. medium. In painting, the term 'medium' refers to the liquid that not only helps to apply paint but also ensures that binders and pigments remain in suspension. This medium can vary from water in water-based paints to organic solvents in oil-based paints.
Binders are critical in paints since they help to form a cohesive film that adheres the pigment to the painted surface. Once the medium evaporates, the binder helps to fix the paint to the surface. It imparts properties like gloss, durability, flexibility, and toughness. Binders include synthetic or natural resins such as alkyds, acrylics, vinyl-acrylics, and oils.
Pigments, on the other hand, are granular solids that provide color to paint. Without the medium, these components would settle and separate, and paints would lose their application properties. Thus, the medium plays a critical role in paint composition and functionality.