One technique on how to classify the colloids is to assemble them according to their phase of the dispersed substance as well as the means of dispersion. A gas could be dispersed into liquid to make or form foam such as (e.g., beaten egg white and shaving lather) or solid foam (e.g., marshmallow or styrofoam). A liquid can also be dispersed into gas to create aerosol (e.g., aerosol spray or fog) or another or to form a certain emulsion (mayonnaise or homogenized milk) or a solid to create gel (cheese or jellies). Additionally, a solid could also be dispersed in a gas to create solid aerosol (smoke or dust into the air) in a liquid form to sol (muddy water or ink) or solid to solid sol (alloys).

An additional distinction is usually made in the situation of dispersed solid like diffusion of the sulfur into the water) the colloidal particles do have the similar internal structure as a form of the solid. In some situation like diffusion of the soap in the water the particles are aggregated into small molecules and don’t respond in any specific solid structure.  In some cases like dispersion of the protein into the water and the particles are commonly very bulky in single molecules. Furthermore, a different difference is usually made when the diffusing medium is liquid between lyophobic and  lyophilic systems. In the lyophilic system have great affinity for readily solvated or solvent wherein it is combined physically or chemically.

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