Science, Tech, Math › Science Suspension Definition in Chemistry What a Suspension Is (With Examples) Print This is a close-up look at a suspension of mercury droplets in oil. DR JEREMY BURGESS / Getty Images Science Chemistry Chemical Laws Basics Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on June 05, 2019 Mixtures may be classified according to their properties. A suspension is one type of mixture. Key Takeaways: Suspension Chemistry Definition A suspension is a type of heterogeneous mixture.Over time, particles in a suspension will settle out.A suspension contains larger particles than are found in a colloid. In a colloid, the particles remain mixed over time. Suspension Definition Read More Examples of Chemical Suspensions By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. In chemistry, a suspension is a heterogeneous mixture of a fluid and solid particles. In order to be a suspension, the particles must not dissolve in the fluid. A suspension of liquid or solid particles in a gas is called an aerosol. Examples of Suspensions Suspensions may be formed by shaking oil and water together, oil and mercury together, by mixing dust in air. Suspension Versus Colloid The difference between a suspension and a colloid is the solid particles in a suspension will settle out over time. In other words, the particles in a suspension are large enough to permit sedimentation. Individual suspension particles are present in a colloid, which causes light to scatter and reflect in what is known as the Tyndall effect. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Suspension Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/definition-of-suspension-605714. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 27). Suspension Definition in Chemistry. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-suspension-605714 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Suspension Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-suspension-605714 (accessed April 20, 2024). copy citation