Colloids

[krisi]

Hey Guys,
Hows everyone getting on with their courses etc? Hope all is going well!

Just a quick question? im trying to think of some examples of colloids - does anyone have any ideas. Is magnesium trisilate mixture one??
Krisi

[johnep]

Yes it is a bit dumb as it looks as though you have made no attempt to find out for yourself:
Solution = molecules present in ion form
Sol ie colloidal sol is where particles are so small that remain suspended in the fluid
Suspension= Particles very much larger and will sediment eg mag trisil mixture.

Can also have molecular complexes and of course micelles where molecules orient themselves so that their heads are in oil and tails in water. or vice versa
eg cream is oil in water, butter is water in oil.
As said elsewhere, google is your friend.
johnep

[krisi]

i spent some time looking it up this afty before I posted on here - i know definition of solution, suspension, colloid!
What i wasn't sure of was an example of medicines that are colloids! All have our weaknesses in knowledge/ understanding, google or not!

[johnep]

Well that is what you did not ask!
Colloidal silver --Argentum-- used as antiseptic, eg eye drops.
Colloidal sulphur--used for skin problems, prepared from 'liver of sulphur'
colloidal gold also used in the past. look them up on google to get details.
Must be other examples, but above all I can think of off hand.
johnep

[Fleegle]

The best colloidal substance ever?...I mean EVER???...

HEINZ TOMATO KETCHUP

Marketing and formulation wizardry in one global package......Oh yes!!

An Fleeg.

[DavidS]

Is magnesium trisilate mixture one??
Krisi

No. It settles while you look at it. Colloids don't settle, ever.

[johnep]

Yes he is a dumbo. If mag trisil mixture was a colloid, would not need to shake the bottle.
johnep

[DavidS]

Yes he is a dumbo. If mag trisil mixture was a colloid, would not need to shake the bottle.
johnep

Well, its out of fashion now, isn't it. I doubt if students see it nowadays. But it used to settle so fast you could never be sure if the flat had been filled correctly from the winchester.

(That should baffle the newbies)

[krisi]

Thanks fleegle and david.
Got example of a colloid in the dispensary now Aveeno! Ty for your help