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Lesson 9 of 10

7 min

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Six methods, six real differences. Use the table if you get stuck.

Methods of Separation in Everyday Life — one rule from each lesson
LessonThe rule
Why separateKeep what you want, remove what you do not, or both.
By sizeA sieve checks size only. Not weight, not colour.
By weightWinnowing needs moving air and a real gap in weight.
SettlingLeft still, heavy bits sink. Then decant.
FilteringA filter catches solid bits. Not what has dissolved.
Getting it backEvaporating the water leaves the dissolved solid behind.
With a magnetA magnet pulls iron and steel. It does not pull sawdust.

A man swirls a pan of river sand to find gold. Why does he separate it?

  • To throw everything away
  • To keep the gold he wants
  • To make the sand heavier

A sieve has holes that a pebble fits through. What happens to the pebble?

  • It stays on top because it is heavy
  • It falls through because it is small
  • It sticks in the mesh

Wheat and husk are tossed up on a day with no wind. What happens?

  • They fall down together
  • The husk blows far away
  • The grain blows far away

A jar of muddy water is left still for a night. What is at the bottom?

  • Clear water
  • The mud
  • Salt

Muddy water has settled. What is the name for pouring off the clear top?

  • Winnowing
  • Sieving
  • Decantation

Salty water is poured through filter paper. What passes through?

  • Nothing
  • The dissolved salt, with the water
  • Only the salt

6 spoons of salt are dissolved in water. All the water evaporates. How much salt is in the dish?

  • 3 spoons
  • 6 spoons
  • 12 spoons

Iron nails are mixed with sawdust. Which method pulls out the nails?

  • Sieving
  • Using a magnet
  • Winnowing

Now read your NCERT chapter. Next: Living Creatures: Exploring their Characteristics.

Reveal every answer to finish this lesson.