Question

Maria examines a mixture that appears to be the same throughout. However, when she looks at a sample using a magnifying lens, she can see small droplets of liquid surrounded by another liquid.

Which conclusion best fits her observations?

The mixture is a solution because it has the same appearance throughout the sample.
The mixture is a suspension because it is composed of two different-appearing substances.
The mixture is a homogeneous mixture because one liquid is dissolved in the other.
The mixture is a colloid because two different substances can be seen in a small sample.

Answer 1

The correct answer is colloid.

A colloid is a mixture that appears to be the same throughout, but when examined under a microscope, it can be seen to be composed of two or more substances. The small droplets of liquid that Maria sees under the magnifying lens are the dispersed phase, and the liquid that surrounds them is the continuous phase.

A solution is a homogeneous mixture, meaning that the substances are evenly distributed throughout the mixture and cannot be seen under a microscope. A suspension is a heterogeneous mixture, meaning that the substances are not evenly distributed throughout the mixture and can be seen under a microscope.

So, the mixture that Maria is examining is a colloid because it appears to be the same throughout, but when examined under a microscope, it can be seen to be composed of two or more substances.

Here is a table that summarizes the different types of mixtures and their properties:

| Type of mixture | Appearance | Visibility of dispersed phase under a microscope |

|---|---|---|

| Solution | Homogeneous | Not visible |

| Suspension | Heterogeneous | Visible |

| Colloid | Homogeneous | Visible under a microscope |

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.