Which term reduces cohesion between particles and disperses particles of a solid in a liquid?

Which term reduces cohesion between particles and disperses particles of a solid in a liquid?

• A. Detergents
• B. A sticker
• C. Dispersing agents
• D. Wetting agents

Answer: (C)

Dispersing agents are used to keep solid particles evenly spread in a liquid by reducing how strongly the particles cling to each other. They attach to the particle surfaces and form a stabilizing layer that prevents aggregation, either through electrostatic repulsion or by creating a physical barrier with polymer chains. This keeps the suspension uniform and prevents settling or clumping, which is essential in applications like paints, inks, and pharmaceutical suspensions. Detergents are surfactants that mainly help remove dirt and improve cleaning, and while they can aid wetting, their primary role isn’t stabilizing suspensions. Wetting agents reduce surface tension to help liquids spread on surfaces, not to keep particles dispersed. A sticker refers to an adhesive, which has no role in stabilizing solid particles in a liquid. Dispersing agents specifically perform the function described.

Dispersing agents are used to keep solid particles evenly spread in a liquid by reducing how strongly the particles cling to each other. They attach to the particle surfaces and form a stabilizing layer that prevents aggregation, either through electrostatic repulsion or by creating a physical barrier with polymer chains. This keeps the suspension uniform and prevents settling or clumping, which is essential in applications like paints, inks, and pharmaceutical suspensions. Detergents are surfactants that mainly help remove dirt and improve cleaning, and while they can aid wetting, their primary role isn’t stabilizing suspensions. Wetting agents reduce surface tension to help liquids spread on surfaces, not to keep particles dispersed. A sticker refers to an adhesive, which has no role in stabilizing solid particles in a liquid. Dispersing agents specifically perform the function described.