What term describes the separation of a suspension of particles into a clarified liquid and a concentrated suspension?

The term that describes the separation of a suspension of particles into a clarified liquid and a concentrated suspension is sedimentation. This process occurs when particles in a fluid settle out of the suspension due to gravity. As the particles settle, the liquid above them becomes clearer, resulting in a defined separation between the clarified liquid and the concentrated mass of particles at the bottom.

Sedimentation is a fundamental process in various applications, including water treatment, where it is employed to remove suspended solids from water, thereby improving its clarity and quality for consumption or discharge. In contrast, the other terms, while related to particle behavior in fluids, refer to different processes: coagulation involves the clumping of particles, flocculation refers to the gathering of particles into larger aggregates or "flocs," and oxidation is a chemical reaction that involves the loss of electrons, typically not related to the physical separation of particles in a suspension.