Colloid

A colloid, or colloidal dispersion, is a form of matter intermediate between a true solution and a mixture or suspension. Microscopic particles of one substance, said to be in the dispersed or solute phase, are distributed throughout another, said to be in the dispersing, continuous, or solvent phase.

Colloids can be classified as follows:

		Dispersed Phase
		Gas	Liquid	Solid
Dispersing Phase	Gas	-	Liquid aerosol[?], e.g.: fog, mist	Solid aerosol[?], e.g.: smoke, dust
	Liquid	Foam[?], e.g.: whipped cream	Emulsion, e.g.: milk, mayonnaise, hand cream	Sol[?], e.g.: paint, ink
	Solid	Solid foam[?], e.g.: styrofoam	Gel, e.g.: gelatin, jelly, cheese	Solid sol[?], e.g.: ruby glass