Question

Explain the process of separating oil and water using separating funnel.

Answer 1

1. Mix oil and water to form a heterogeneous mixture.
2. Pour the mixture into the separating funnel and allow it to stand for sometime.
3. Due to the difference in the densities, a mixture of oil and water always separates into two layers
4. The more dense liquid i.e., water will settle at the bottom of the separating funnel.
5. It is removed by opening the stop-cock of the funnel and collected in a separate receiver.
6. When the lower layer is removed completely, the stop cock is closed.
7. Later, the lighter liquid i.e., oil in the upper layer is removed by opening the stop-cock again and is collected in a separate receiver.