syneresis
physics
Quick Summary
Syneresis is the separation of liquid from a gel, a process that occurs due to the gel's contraction. Gels are colloids, which are masses of liquid containing particles too small to be seen with a standard microscope. These particles can be dispersed throughout the liquid or form a fine network. Depending on the composition, gels can range from elastic and jellylike, like gelatin, to rigid, like silica gel. The term "syneresis" comes from Greek words meaning "to contract".12
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