What describes a colloidal dispersion of a liquid in a liquid?

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Prepare for the Pennsylvania Pesticide Applicator Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question includes hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

A colloidal dispersion of a liquid in a liquid is best described as an emulsion. Emulsions involve the combination of two immiscible liquids, where one liquid (the dispersed phase) is dispersed in the other (the continuous phase) in such a way that the tiny droplets of one liquid are suspended throughout the other. This creates a stable mixture that does not separate easily, unlike other forms of mixtures.

The characteristics of emulsions are important in various applications, particularly in the food industry (e.g., mayonnaise, salad dressings), pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Emulsifiers, which can be surfactants or stabilizing agents, are often used to help maintain the stability of emulsions by reducing the surface tension between the two liquids, enabling them to mix more effectively.

In contrast, a solution refers to a homogeneous mixture of one substance dissolved in another, where the solute particles are molecular or ionic in size and evenly distributed throughout the solvent. A suspension involves larger particles that are not dissolved but rather float in a liquid, eventually settling out over time. Lastly, a mixture is a broader term that encompasses any combination of two or more substances that retain their individual properties, which can include solutions, suspensions, and emulsions. However

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