Solids and liquids have different properties. Solids do not change shape easily, will not allow other solids to pass through, are usually visible, have a definite shape, and become liquid when heated. Liquids change shape easily, allow solids to pass through, may be visible or invisible, have a definite volume, become gas when heated, and become solid when cooled. Nine tests can determine if a substance is a solid or liquid based on its behavior in the tests such as ability to change shape, pour, or hold shape when formed into a ball. The tests show that colloids exhibit both solid and liquid properties by not settling out but remaining dispersed throughout their medium.
2. Solid Properties
Do not change shape easily
Will not allow another solid
to pass through the easily
Are usually visible
Have a definite shape
Becomes liquid when
heated
Remain solid when cooled
Liquid Properties
Change shape easily
Will allow solid to pass
through them easily
Maybe visible and invisible
Have a definite
size(volume)
Become gas when heated
Become solid when cooled
4. 1. Quick Finger Poke Test
Procedure Liquid Solid
Try to poke your finger into
the mixture so that the tip of
your finger touches the
bottom of the cup. To make
sure that this is a quick finger
poke test, try to touch the
bottom of the cup in 1 second.
5. 2. The slow Finger poke test
Procedure Liquid So
lid
Try to poke your finger into the
mixture so that the tip of your
finger touches the bottom of
the cup. In order to make sure
that this is the slow finger poke
test, take 10 seconds to touch
the bottom.
6. 3. Conformity Test
Procedure Liquid Solid
Put the mixture into another
container or plastic baggie.
Check to see if the mixture
takes the shape of the container
or stays in its original shape
8. 5. Bounce Test
Procedure Liqu
id
Solid
Hold the mixture 50 cm
up from the table or
desk. Drop it.
9. 6. Shatter Test
Procedure Liqu
id
Solid
Put the mixture in a
waxed paper on the table
or desk. Hit the mixture
with a hammer.
10. 7. Shape Test
Procedure Liqu
id
Solid
Try to form the mixture
into a ball. Check to see
if it holds the shape for 5
seconds
11. 8. Heat Test
Procedure Liquid Solid
Make a ball out of foil. On one
side leave a bump where you
can clip a clothespin. Heat one
teaspoon of mixture in a bowl
over a candle
15. Concept Learned:
A colloid is a mixture that exhibits both
properties of solid and liquid.
Colloidal particles do not settle but remain
dispersed throughout the medium.
Colloid comes from the greek word kolla
which means glue. Familiar colloid are
rubber, plastics, synthetics fibers, gelatin
and foams.
