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 left behind on the paper. - **Result:** You collect the liquid in a container below, and the solid remains on the filter paper. This method is effective because the filter paper has tiny pores that allow only the liquid to pass through, while the solid particles are too large to fit through these pores. ### Why Other Options Are Incorrect **A. Distillation:** - **Explanation:** Distillation is a technique used to separate components of a mixture based on differences in boiling points. It is typically used for separating liquids from liquids or for purifying liquids. - **Why it's wrong:** In the case of a solid-liquid mixture, distillation would not effectively separate the solid from the liquid because the solid does not vaporize. Therefore, it is not suitable for this specific task. **C. Chromatography:** - **Explanation:** Chromatography is a technique used to separate mixtures based on the movement of different components through a medium (like paper or a column) at different rates. - **Why it's wrong:** While chromatography is excellent for separating different substances in a solution (like pigments in ink), it is not designed for separating solids from liquids in a heterogeneous mixture. It is more suited for analyzing mixtures rather than straightforward separation. **D. Evaporation:** - **Explanation:** Evaporation involves heating a liquid to convert it into vapor, leaving behind any dissolved solids. - **Why it's wrong:** While evaporation can separate a solid from a liquid, it is not the most efficient method for heterogeneous mixtures where the solid is not dissolved. In cases where the solid is suspended in the liquid (like sand in water), evaporation would not work effectively because the solid would remain in the mixture until the liquid completely evaporates. ### Summary of Key Points - **Filtration** is the most suitable method for separating solids from liquids in heterogeneous mixtures. - It works by using a filter medium to allow only the liquid to pass through while retaining the solid. - Other methods like distillation, chromatography, and evaporation are not effective for this specific separation task. - Understanding the properties of the components in a mixture is crucial for selecting the appropriate separation technique. ### Revision Summary - **Filtration** is ideal for separating solids from liquids in heterogeneous mixtures. - **Distillation** is for separating liquids based on boiling points, not suitable for solids. - **Chromatography** separates components in solutions, not solids from liquids. - **Evaporation** leaves solids behind but is inefficient for suspended solids in liquids.