Which best describes coagulation?

Coagulation is best described as the use of chemicals to neutralize the electrical charges of fine particles, resulting in their clumping together. This process is critical in water treatment and other industrial applications where the removal of suspended solids is necessary.

Fine particles in a liquid often carry negative electrical charges, which prevents them from aggregating and settling out of the solution. Coagulants, typically aluminum sulfate or ferric chloride, are added to the liquid, and they interact with these tiny particles. By neutralizing their charges, the coagulants enable the particles to come closer together, facilitating their eventual aggregation into larger clusters or flocs. These larger particles are much easier to remove from the liquid, either through sedimentation or filtration.

Understanding this process is essential for effective water treatment and management of various industrial processes, where clarity and purity of liquids are paramount.