What's the difference between a colloid and a suspension?

Particle size. From the reference, "Colloidal particles are larger than molecules but too small to be observed directly with a microscope; however, their shape and size can be determined by electron microscopy. In a true solution the particles of dissolved substance are of molecular size and are thus smaller than colloidal particles; in a coarse mixture (e.g., a suspension) the particles are much larger than colloidal particles. Although there are no precise boundaries of size between the particles in mixtures, colloids, or solutions, colloidal particles are usually on the order of 10^-7 to 10^-5 cm in size." Colloids float in the solvent they are in and do not settle out or float to the bottom of the container when left undisturbed, while suspensions are formed when particles do not dissolve, but settle out. Example of Colloid is starch in water and also Emulsions Example of suspension is sand and water The particles of colloids can pass through filter paper but the particles of suspensions are held back by filter paper. Therefore it can be concluded that suspensions have larger particles than the colloids.