What type of mixture contains larger solute particles that eventually separate or move apart (notably seen in oil and vinegar)?

The correct answer is that a colloid is the type of mixture that contains larger solute particles that do not settle out and can remain dispersed throughout the solvent, though they can scatter light (this is known as the Tyndall effect). Colloids can appear homogeneous because the particles are small enough to remain suspended, but they can also demonstrate some distinct properties, such as the ability to separate over time under certain conditions.

In the case of oil and vinegar, a colloid is not the best fit because these liquids do not mix fully due to the immiscibility between oil (a non-polar substance) and vinegar (which contains water, a polar substance). Instead, oil and vinegar create a suspension. A suspension is a heterogeneous mixture where larger particles are suspended within a fluid but can settle out over time if left undisturbed. This is why, after sitting, oil and vinegar separate into two distinct layers.

A solution, in contrast, consists of solute particles that are completely dissolved within the solvent, resulting in a homogeneous mixture where the solute is not visible, and does not settle out. A simple mixture implies no specific characteristics about particle size or behavior, thus is less precise in describing the key properties of separation in mixtures