Compare? Very small, finely divided solids (that do not dissolve) that remain dispersed in a liquid for a long time due to their small size and electrical charge.

Molecules dispersed and suspended within a gaseous, liquid or solid medium and resisting diffusion, filtration and sedimentation.

These are the finest particles in the soil. The surfaces of colloids attract base ions, which plants use as nutrients.

The finely divided suspended matter that will not settle.

Small particles which have a negligible settling velocity. These particles have a very small mass so gravitational force is low compared to surface frictional forces. Typical colloidal sizes range from 10-3 mm to 1 mm.

Matter of very small particle size, in the range of 10-5 to 10-7 in diameter.

Very tiny clay particles less than 0.001mm in diameter. There are two types of colloid - mineral colloids which are clay particles and organic colloids which are humus or decomposed organic matter.

finely divided solids which will not settle but which may be removed by coagulation or biochemical action.

Suspension of submicron particles in a continuous fluid medium that will not settle out of the medium.

Very small particles that are formed during the weathering process of soils.

Fine clay and organic matter material with a particle size of less than 0.002 mm in diameter. These particles tend to remain permanently in suspension unless flocculation (aggregation of particles that settle out) occurs.

Very small, finely divided solids (particles that do not dissolve) that remain dispersed in a liquid for a long time because of their small size and electrical charge. When most of the particles in water have a negative electrical charge, they tend to repel each other. This repulsion prevents the particles from clumping together, becoming heavier, and settling out.

Very fine solid particles that will not settle out of a solution or medium. Smoke is an example of a colloid, being solid particles suspended in a gas. Colloids are the intermediate stage between a truly dissolved particle and a suspended solid, which will settle out of solution.

Very small soil particles with a negative electro-magnetic charge capable of attracting, holding and exchanging cations.

Very fine solid particles, typically between 0.1 and 0.001 microns in diameter, which are suspended in a liquid or gas and will not settle out of a solution and cannot be removed by conventional filtration alone.