What type of mixture contains particles that can be easily separated by settling or filtration?

A suspension is a type of mixture where solid particles are dispersed in a liquid but are not dissolved. The key characteristic of a suspension is that its particles are relatively large and can be seen with the naked eye. Because the particles in a suspension are heavier than the liquid, they tend to settle at the bottom when left undisturbed. This settling can lead to a separation of the components over time.

Additionally, if a suspension is passed through a filter, the solid particles can be trapped by the filter while the liquid passes through, demonstrating that the separation can be achieved through both settling and filtration. This property distinguishes suspensions from solutions, where particles are completely dissolved and do not settle out or get filtered.

Emulsions, solutions, and aerosols do not fit this description as closely as suspensions. Emulsions consist of two immiscible liquids mixed with the help of an emulsifying agent, and their components do not settle. Solutions involve solute particles that are evenly distributed at the molecular level and cannot be separated by settling or filtering. Aerosols are colloidal systems where fine solid or liquid particles are suspended in a gas, and they also do not settle out quickly like suspension particles do.