The photo to the right shows a dust storm in Texas in 1935.Identify the two main things being mixed in the storm.Explain whether the mixture is a suspension.

Identification of Components in the Storm

1. Dust Particles: The primary component of the dust storm is the particulate matter, which includes fine dust and soil that have been lifted into the atmosphere by strong winds.

2. Air: The other main component is the air itself, which serves as the medium through which the dust particles are transported.

Explanation of the Mixture as a Suspension

A suspension is a heterogeneous mixture in which solid particles are dispersed in a liquid or gas. In the case of the dust storm:

• The dust particles are solid materials, while the air acts as the gas medium.
• This mixture qualifies as a suspension because the solid dust particles are not dissolved in the air; instead, they remain suspended and can eventually settle out when the wind velocity decreases or the environment becomes stable.

Conclusion

Therefore, the mixture of dust particles and air in a dust storm can indeed be considered a suspension due to the manner in which solid particles are dispersed throughout the gas.