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Question 260 of 513

Which of the following separation techniques is most suitable for separating a solid from a liquid in a heterogeneous mixture?

  • Distillation
  • Filtration
  • Chromatography
  • Centrifugation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation
The correct option for separating a solid from a liquid in a heterogeneous mixture is **B. Filtration**. ### Detailed Explanation **1. Understanding Heterogeneous Mixtures:** A heterogeneous mixture is one where the components are not uniformly distributed, meaning you can see the different parts. For example, if you have a mixture of sand and water, the sand (solid) and water (liquid) are distinct and can be separated. **2. The Filtration Process:** Filtration is a physical separation technique that uses a filter medium (like filter paper) to separate solids from liquids. Here’s how it works: - **Setup:** You place a filter paper in a funnel and pour the mixture into the funnel. - **Separation:** The liquid (filtrate) passes through the filter paper, while the solid (residue) is trapped on the paper. - **Result:** You collect the liquid in a container below, and the solid remains on the filter paper. **3. Why Filtration is the Best Choice:** - **Effectiveness:** Filtration is specifically designed to separate solids from liquids. It is straightforward and efficient for this purpose. - **Simplicity:** The process is easy to perform and requires minimal equipment. - **No Chemical Change:** Filtration does not alter the chemical composition of the components, making it a physical separation method. ### Analysis of Other Options **A. Distillation:** - **What it is:** Distillation is a technique used to separate components of a mixture based on differences in boiling points. - **Why it’s wrong:** It is not suitable for separating solids from liquids. Instead, it is used for separating liquids from liquids (like alcohol from water) or for purifying liquids. **C. Chromatography:** - **What it is:** Chromatography is a method used to separate mixtures based on the movement of different components through a medium (like paper or gel). - **Why it’s wrong:** While effective for separating different substances in a solution (like pigments in ink), it is not designed for separating solids from liquids in a straightforward manner. **D. Centrifugation:** - **What it is:** Centrifugation involves spinning a mixture at high speeds to separate components based on density. - **Why it’s wrong:** While it can separate solids from liquids, it is more complex and typically used for suspensions or emulsions rather than simple solid-liquid mixtures. It requires specialized equipment (a centrifuge) and is not as direct as filtration. ### Summary of Key Points - **Filtration** is the most suitable method for separating solids from liquids in heterogeneous mixtures. - It is a simple, effective, and physical separation technique. - Other methods like distillation, chromatography, and centrifugation are not designed for this specific purpose and have limitations in this context. ### Revision Summary - **Filtration** is ideal for separating solids from liquids. - It uses a filter medium to trap solids while allowing liquids to pass through. - Other methods (distillation, chromatography, centrifugation) are not suitable for this specific separation task. - Understanding the properties of the mixture helps in choosing the right separation technique.
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