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Engineering ToolBox > Mixtures, Solutions and Suspensions

The difference between mixtures, solutions and suspensions

Mixtures

A mixture is a combination of substances which are not chemically joined together.

• Mixtures have the same properties as their components
• There is no fixed proportion between the components
• The components can be separated from the mixture

Examples

• sugar and salt
• air with nitrogen, oxygen ....

Solutions

A solution is a mixture in which other substances (solutes) are dissolved.

• The components in a solution may not be separated from the solution by leaving it to stand, or by filtration

If a material dissolves in a liquid the material is said to be soluble. A solution is saturated if no more solute can be dissolved with the temperature remaining constant. 

Examples

• salt in sea water

Suspensions

A suspension is a mixture of liquids and particles of a solid which may not dissolve in the liquid.

• The solid may be separated from the liquid by leaving it to stand, or by filtration

Examples

• sand in water