Question

why do ponds and lakes in clay areas often appear murky?
large clay particles settle quickly.
clay particles stay suspended in water.
silt stays suspended with no motion.

Explanation:

Clay particles are very fine - grained. Due to their small size and the electrical charges on their surfaces, they tend to repel each other and stay suspended in water rather than settling out quickly like larger particles. This suspension of clay particles in the water column scatters light, making the water in ponds and lakes in clay areas appear murky. Silt particles are larger than clay particles and would settle more readily than clay if there was no motion. And the statement about large clay particles settling quickly is incorrect as clay particles are small.

Answer:

Clay particles stay suspended in water.