Sol Definition in Chemistry

What Is a Sol?

A gel is a type of sol, which is in turn an example of a colloid.
A gel is a type of sol, which is in turn an example of a colloid. Image Source, Getty Images
by Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Updated December 07, 2017

Sol Definition

A sol is a type of colloid in which solid particles are suspended in a liquid. The particles in a sol are very small. The colloidal solution displays the Tyndall effect and is stable. Sols may be prepared via condensation or dispersion. Adding a dispersing agent may increase the stability of a sol. One important use of sols is in the preparation of sol-gels.

Sol Examples

Examples of sols include protoplasm, gel, starch in water, blood, paint, and pigmented ink.

Format
mla apa chicago
Your Citation
Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Sol Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo, Dec. 7, 2017, thoughtco.com/definition-of-sol-in-chemistry-605920. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2017, December 7). Sol Definition in Chemistry. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-sol-in-chemistry-605920 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Sol Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-sol-in-chemistry-605920 (accessed April 21, 2018).