Question

Explain the method of separation of solid-liquid mixtures.

Answer 1

• When the solid particles are large such that they cannot pass through a filter paper, solid and liquid mixtures are separated by the process of filtration.
• Sometimes the solid particles in a liquid are very small and can pass through a filter paper. For such particles, the filtration technique cannot be used for separation. Such mixtures are separated by centrifugation. Centrifugation is the process of separation of insoluble materials from a liquid where normal filtration does not work well. The centrifugation is based on the size, shape, and density of the particles.
• If the solid particles are heavy, they can be separated by sedimentation and decantation. If the mixture is left undisturbed for a long time, the solid particles sediment at the bottom. They can then be separated from the liquid by decantation.