Dispersed phase and dispersion medium in clouds are _______ respectively.

Liquid, Gas

The correct answer is option 4. Liquid, Gas.

A colloid is a type of mixture where one substance (the dispersed phase) is finely distributed in another substance (the dispersion medium). The particles of the dispersed phase are larger than molecules but small enough that they do not settle out of the dispersion medium.

Structure of Clouds

Dispersed Phase: The tiny particles that are dispersed throughout the medium. In the case of clouds, these particles are tiny water droplets or ice crystals.

Dispersion Medium: The medium in which the dispersed phase is distributed. In clouds, the dispersion medium is the air, which is a gas.

Clouds form when warm, moist air rises and cools, causing the water vapor in the air to condense into tiny water droplets or, in colder conditions, ice crystals. These droplets or crystals are so small that they remain suspended in the air, creating the visible cloud.

Dispersed Phase (Liquid): In clouds, the water vapor condenses into liquid water droplets or solid ice crystals. These droplets or crystals form the dispersed phase.

Dispersion Medium (Gas): The air, which is a mixture of gases (mainly nitrogen, oxygen, and some trace gases), acts as the dispersion medium. The tiny water droplets or ice crystals are suspended in this gaseous medium.

Examples in Nature

Clouds are a type of colloid known where the dispersed phase is a liquid (or sometimes solid in the form of ice) and the dispersion medium is a gas (air).

To further clarify, here are some examples of different types of colloids:

Liquid in Gas (Aerosol): Clouds, mist, fog (liquid droplets in air).

Solid in Gas (Aerosol): Smoke, dust in air.

Liquid in Liquid (Emulsion): Milk, mayonnaise.

Gas in Liquid (Foam): Whipped cream, soap lather.

Conclusion

In the case of clouds, the dispersed phase is liquid water droplets, and the dispersion medium is gas (air).

Therefore, the correct answer is option 1: Liquid, Gas.