What property distinguishes suspensions from true solutions?

The property that distinguishes suspensions from true solutions is the size of the particles. In a true solution, the solute particles are at the molecular or ionic level and are generally smaller than 1 nanometer, allowing them to remain uniformly distributed throughout the solvent without settling. This results in a clear mixture.

In contrast, suspensions consist of larger particles, typically larger than 1 micrometer, which do not dissolve but instead remain dispersed in the liquid. Because of this, suspensions often appear cloudy or murky, and the larger particles can settle to the bottom over time if the mixture is left undisturbed. This particle size difference fundamentally defines the behavior and properties of suspensions compared to true solutions.

The other choices, such as color, smell, and temperature, do not specifically differentiate between suspensions and true solutions, as those attributes can vary widely among both types of mixtures and do not hinge on the particle size or distribution.