A true solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances in which the particle size of the material dissolved (solute) in the solvent is less than 10-9 m or 1 nm. In other words, a true solution is a mixture in which all the particles are evenly distributed and the solute is completely dissolved in the solvent. The solute and solvent in a true solution are completely miscible. Examples of true solutions include sugar or salt dissolved in water.
Some properties of true solutions are:
- The particle size of the solute is very small, less than 1 nm.
- A true solution is a clear, transparent, and homogeneous mixture.
- The solute particles cannot be seen with the naked eye.
- The solute particles do not settle down when left undisturbed.
- A true solution does not scatter light, which means it does not show the Tyndall effect.
- The solute and solvent pass through the filter paper in a true solution.
- Filtration cannot separate the particles in a true solution.
It is important to note that milk is not a true solution because it has two phases suspended within it: a liquid phase and a solid phase.
