Final answer:
Clay in liquid is a colloid, which is a type of mixture with particle sizes between 2 to 500 nm that remain suspended without settling out. This differs from a suspension, where larger particles can settle upon standing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physically, clay is a colloid, which is a suspension of particles that are larger than molecules but do not settle out of liquid. A colloid is different from a suspension, which is a heterogeneous mixture where the solute particles are larger than 10,000 Å (>1000 nm) and may settle out upon standing.
Colloidal particles are typically in the range of 2 to about 500 nm and remain dispersed within the liquid without settling.
A colloidal mixture of clay in water, for example, maintains a uniform distribution of tiny clay particles that do not easily settle to the bottom, unlike a suspension where larger particles would settle over time.
Everyday examples of other colloids include milk, where fats and proteins are dispersed in water, and fog, which consists of tiny water droplets suspended in the air.