Sedimentation and decantation in Separation of Substances – Class 6 Science Experiment

Chapter Name: Separation of Substances

Activity Name: Sedimentation and decantation in Separation of Substances

Activity Description:

Required Items:

1. Glass tumbler
2. Soil
3. Water
4. Another tumbler

Step by Step Procedure:

1. Take a glass tumbler and fill it halfway with a mixture of soil and water.
2. Stir the mixture gently to ensure the soil particles are well dispersed in the water.
3. Keep the glass tumbler undisturbed for some time.
4. Observe that the sand and mud particles in the soil settle down at the bottom of the tumbler. These settled particles are called sediments.
5. Gently lift the tumbler, tilting it slightly so that the tip of the tumbler rests on the edge of another tumbler.
6. Allow the water to separate from the sediment without disturbing it. This process is called decantation.

Experiment Observations:

1. The sand and mud particles in the soil settle down at the bottom of the glass tumbler during sedimentation.
2. When the tumbler is lifted and inclined, the water separates from the sediment through the process of decantation.

Precautions:

• Handle the glassware with care to avoid any breakage or injuries.
• Use a clean glass tumbler and ensure the soil and water are free from any contaminants.

Lesson Learnt from Experiment:

The experiment demonstrates the process of sedimentation and decantation. Sedimentation refers to the settling of particles at the bottom of a liquid due to gravity, while decantation is the separation of a liquid from the settled particles.

These processes are commonly used at home while cleaning rice and pulses for cooking, as mentioned by Laxmi.