The Laplace-Perrin distribution law can be rearranged to give the sedimentation length . The sedimentation length describes the probability of finding a colloidal particle at a height  above the point of reference . At the length  above the reference point, the concentration of colloidal particles decreases by a factor of .
If the sedimentation length is much greater than the diameter  of the colloidal particles (), the particles can diffuse a distance greater than this diameter, and the substance remains a suspension. However, if the sedimentation length is less than the diameter (), the particles can only diffuse by a much shorter length. They will sediment under the influence of gravity and settle to the bottom of the container. The substance can no longer be considered a colloidal suspension. It may become a colloidal suspension again if an action to undertaken to suspend the colloidal particles again, such as stirring the colloid.