What is the process called where particles in a liquid settle out and are separated from the liquid?

The process where particles in a liquid settle out and are separated from the liquid is known as sedimentation. In sedimentation, the heavier particles in a liquid are influenced by gravity and gradually fall to the bottom of the container, causing the liquid above to become clearer. This is commonly observed in natural settings, such as when soil or organic matter settles in standing water.

Unlike filtration, which physically separates solids from liquids through a barrier, sedimentation relies on the differences in density and gravitational forces. Evaporation refers to the process of a liquid turning into vapor, while distillation involves heating a liquid to create vapor and then cooling it to form a liquid again. Both evaporation and distillation are not primarily concerned with particle separation based on settling. Therefore, sedimentation is specifically the process that accurately describes the settling of particles in a liquid.