Small dispersed particles in another substance are referred to as which type of dispersion?

The term that describes small dispersed particles in another substance is "colloidal." In a colloidal dispersion, tiny particles remain suspended throughout a medium, but they do not settle out like larger particles would in a suspension. This stability is crucial because it allows for the even distribution of the dispersed particles, which can be solids, liquids, or gases.

Colloids are characterized by their particle size, which is typically between 1 nanometer and 1 micrometer, making them smaller than those found in suspensions but larger than those in true solutions. An example of colloidal dispersion is milk, where fat globules are dispersed in water.

Other options may describe different types of mixtures or dispersions but do not apply to the specific characteristics of small dispersed particles. A suspension, for instance, involves larger particles that can eventually settle out of the mixture, while an emulsion specifically refers to mixtures of two immiscible liquids, stabilized by an emulsifier. Hence, "colloidal" is the most accurate term for small dispersed particles in another substance.