What is the primary characteristic of a suspension?

In the context of mixtures in chemistry, the primary characteristic of a suspension is the presence of fine solid particles that are dispersed throughout a liquid. These particles do not dissolve but remain distributed in the liquid, leading to a mixture that can be distinguished from solutions, where the solute is completely dissolved. In a suspension, these particles are typically larger than those found in solutions, and they can settle out over time if left undisturbed.

The nature of suspensions is critical, especially in applications such as aquatic herbicides, where the effectiveness of the product can depend on the stability of the suspension. Understanding the properties of suspensions helps in properly mixing and applying these treatments in aquatic environments, where proper distribution of the active ingredient is essential for achieving desired results.

The other options describe different types of mixtures or states of matter, which do not align with the definition of a suspension as characterized by the presence of solid particles in a liquid medium.