How are mixtures formed if sugar dissolves in water?
A. Suspension B. Colloid C. Dissolution D. Solution
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is D. Solution.
When sugar dissolves in water, the sugar molecules break apart and disperse uniformly throughout the water. This process is called dissolution, where a solute (in this case, sugar) dissolves in a solvent (in this case, water). In a solution, the solute molecules are at a molecular or ionic level, meaning they become evenly distributed in the solvent and no separate phases can be distinguished. This is different from other mixtures such as suspensions and colloids.
In a suspension, solid particles are suspended within a liquid but do not dissolve. These particles are large enough to settle over time. For example, if sand is mixed with water, the sand will eventually settle at the bottom. A colloid, on the other hand, consists of very fine particles that are dispersed throughout the liquid, but these particles are not large enough to settle out, as seen in substances like milk or fog.
In a solution, however, the solute (like sugar) dissolves completely and the resulting mixture is homogeneous, meaning it appears uniform throughout. Solutions can be in any phase—liquid, gas, or solid—but when talking about sugar dissolving in water, it is a liquid solution. The sugar molecules are broken down at the molecular level and are not visible to the naked eye, making the solution clear and uniform.
The process of dissolving sugar in water also does not lead to the formation of new physical phases or visible changes. The solution can vary in concentration, depending on how much sugar is dissolved in the water, but the mixture will always appear uniform, confirming it is a solution.