What term describes a solution containing particles suspended throughout?

The term that describes a solution containing particles suspended throughout is a suspension. In a suspension, solid particles are dispersed in a liquid but are not dissolved, meaning that they can separate and settle over time. This characteristic distinguishes suspensions from solutions and colloids.

In a suspension, the particles are typically larger than those found in a colloid and can be seen with the naked eye, and often require shaking or stirring to keep the particles evenly distributed. This is important in many pharmaceutical applications where active ingredients may need to remain suspended for proper dosing and effectiveness.

In contrast, an emulsion refers specifically to a mixture of two immiscible liquids, where one liquid contains a dispersion of the other. A solution is a homogeneous mixture where one substance is completely dissolved in another, while a colloid features smaller particles that remain evenly distributed without settling quickly, such as in milk. Each of these terms reflects distinct properties of mixtures, with suspension being specifically identified by its dispersed solid particles.