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Reference.org
Dispersion (chemistry)
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<p>A dispersion is a system in which distributed particles of one material are dispersed in a continuous <a href="/facts/Phase_(matter)/NkHXDdN3">phase</a> of another material. The two phases may be in the same or different <a href="/facts/State_of_matter/ojlIA1UF">states of matter</a>. </p><p>Dispersions are classified in a number of different ways, including how large the particles are in relation to the particles of the continuous phase, whether or not <a href="/facts/Precipitation_(chemistry)/s3BgsLLY">precipitation</a> occurs, and the presence of <a href="/facts/Brownian_motion/Th0g0wkr">Brownian motion</a>. In general, dispersions of particles sufficiently large for <a href="/facts/Sedimentation/qUgHGvhd">sedimentation</a> are called <a href="/facts/Suspension_(chemistry)/S3xp96TL">suspensions</a>, while those of smaller particles are called <a href="/facts/Colloid/9EVucqND">colloids</a> and solutions. </p>