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What are the solid and liquid particles suspended within the atmosphere called?

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Final answer:

The solid and liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere are called aerosols. Aerosols include fog, clouds, dust storms, smoke, smog, and can be scientifically categorized as suspensions or colloids based on particle size and settling behavior.

Step-by-step explanation:

The solid and liquid particles suspended within the atmosphere are commonly known as aerosols. These particles can include a variety of substances such as fog and clouds, which consist of liquid water droplets dispersed in air, or smoke consisting of solid carbon particles. The term 'aerosol' can also refer to whipped cream, which is air dispersed in liquid, but in the context of the atmosphere, it typically refers to particulate matter like dust storms, smoke, and smog. These particles absorb light very efficiently, making water vapor visible as clouds when it condenses into droplets, and affecting visibility during dust storms and smog conditions.

Moreover, in scientific terms, these mixtures could also be referred to as suspensions or colloids, depending on the size of the particles and whether they settle over time or remain uniformly distributed. Suspensions are heterogenous mixtures with larger particles, often visible to the na-ked eye, that will eventually settle, such as muddy water. Colloids, on the other hand, are mixtures where the particles do not settle, like in the case of fog (liquid in gas) or milk (solid in liquid).

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