Activated charcoal is an example of a(n):

Activated charcoal is an example of a(n):

• A. Solution
• B. Gel
• C. Elixir
• D. Suspension

Answer: (D)

When a solid doesn’t dissolve in a liquid but remains as dispersed particles, the mixture is a suspension. Activated charcoal consists of insoluble solid particles; when mixed with a liquid, the particles are dispersed throughout but do not dissolve, and they can settle out over time. This contrasts with a true solution, which would be uniform and clear because the solute has dissolved, a gel, which is a semisolid network, and an elixir, which is a sweetened hydroalcoholic solution. So, activated charcoal in liquid best fits a suspension.

When a solid doesn’t dissolve in a liquid but remains as dispersed particles, the mixture is a suspension. Activated charcoal consists of insoluble solid particles; when mixed with a liquid, the particles are dispersed throughout but do not dissolve, and they can settle out over time. This contrasts with a true solution, which would be uniform and clear because the solute has dissolved, a gel, which is a semisolid network, and an elixir, which is a sweetened hydroalcoholic solution. So, activated charcoal in liquid best fits a suspension.