Question 15

A two-phase system of finely divided insoluble particles dispersed in a liquid is known as a suspension.

A suspension is characterized by the presence of solid particles that are not soluble in the liquid, allowing them to remain suspended within the fluid. This definition aligns perfectly with the characteristics of a two-phase system.

A) emulsion

An emulsion refers to a mixture of two immiscible liquids where one liquid contains a dispersion of the other. While emulsions involve two phases, they do not pertain to solid particles suspended in a liquid, making this option incorrect.

B) tincture

A tincture is a solution that typically consists of a solvent (usually alcohol) and a solute that is a plant extract or drug. This option describes a homogeneous mixture rather than a two-phase system with solid particles, hence it is not applicable.

C) suspension

A suspension is defined as a heterogeneous mixture where fine solid particles are dispersed throughout a liquid. This definition directly matches the description of a two-phase system, making this the correct answer.

D) solution

A solution is a homogeneous mixture where a solute is fully dissolved in a solvent. Since solutions do not contain insoluble particles suspended in the liquid, this option does not fit the criteria of a two-phase system.

Conclusion

The correct answer, suspension, accurately describes a system where insoluble particles are dispersed in a liquid, aligning with the two-phase concept. In contrast, emulsion, tincture, and solution each describe different types of mixtures that do not meet the definition provided in the question. Therefore, suspension is the definitive choice.