The best explanation for the results observed when the two clear solutions were mixed is:
When the solutions were combined, a chemical change occurred.
This is indicated by the temperature change (from 26°C to 24°C, suggesting an endothermic reaction) and the rapid formation of a yellow substance that settled at the bottom, which typically points to the formation of a new compound as a result of a chemical reaction. The other options do not adequately explain the observed phenomena.