Separation
Handpicking, sieving, filtering, evaporation.
Separation
Separation
What you'll learn
- Separate mixtures because parts keep different properties.
- Methods: handpicking, sieving, filtering, evaporation.
- Choose method by size, solubility, and state.
- Looking Around 3 — cleaning rice, filtering water.
Key concepts
Level 1 — Core idea
Verbal: Pick stones from rice by hand — stones bigger and harder to see.
Symbolic: Separate without changing identity of parts.
Visual: Sieve: small flour through, big bran stays.
Level 2 — Going deeper
Evaporation: salt from salt water — water evaporates, salt left. Filter: mud from muddy water with paper/cloth.
NCERT anchor
NCERT Looking Around 3, Chapter 7 water filtering and Chapter 6 rice cleaning match these methods. Always ask adult for heat steps.
Worked example
How get salt back from salt water?
Step 1 — Heat dish of salt water (**evaporation**)
Step 2 — Water becomes vapour; **salt remains**
Step 3 — Adult supervision for heat ✓
Separate pebbles from sand.
Step 1 — Pebbles **larger** than sand grains
Step 2 — Use **sieve** — sand falls through, pebbles stay
Answer: **Sieving**
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Why | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Filter removes dissolved salt | Filter does all | Filter catches particles, not dissolved salt |
| Evaporation loses salt | Everything goes | Salt stays — water leaves |
| Handpick for salt water | Wrong method | Need evaporation for dissolved salt |
| Burn mixture to separate | Unsafe shortcut | Use safe school methods only |
Quick check
- Method for stones in dal?
- How separate mud from water?
- What stays after salt water evaporates?
- Stretch: Tea leaves from tea — which method?
Revision tip: Flowchart: big bits? → handpick/sieve. Dissolved? → evaporation. Muddy? → filter.
Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Separation.
Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
- What you'll learn
- Key concepts
- Worked example
- Common mistakes
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