How can you tell the difference between suspension colloid or solution?

Answer 1

Use the Tyndall Effect

shine a light through it. If the light is scattered then it is colloidal.

Both colloids and suspensions are heterogeneous. A solution will not show the beam through it's substance but the colloid will. The particles in the suspension will eventually settle at the bottom, showing that it is NOT a solution.

Answer 2

A suspension is a heterogenous mixture where particles settle out, a colloid is a homogenous mixture where particles are evenly dispersed but do not settle, and a solution is a homogenous mixture where solute is dissolved in a solvent. You can distinguish between them by observing if the mixture is uniform throughout (solution), if it has visible particles that settle over time (suspension), or if it appears uniform but scatters light (colloid).