Separating Sand and Water

In the picture

1. 1Settled sand: the heavy solid has sunk to the bottom (decantation)
2. 2Filter paper: it traps the tiny grains still left in the water (filtration)
3. 3Clear water: the liquid that passes through the filter

Examples

• Making coffee with a paper filter that holds back the ground coffee
• Letting muddy rainwater stand in a bucket until the mud sinks to the bottom

Quiz: Separating Sand and Water (Age 11)

1. 1

   What do you do during decantation?

   • Pour the mixture straight through filter paper
   • Stir the mixture so the sand spreads evenly through the water
   • Let the sand sink, then gently pour the water off the top
2. 2

   What does filter paper do in filtration?

   • It lets both the sand and the water through
   • It holds back the sand and lets the water through
   • It holds back the water and lets the sand through
3. 3

   After pouring the water off the settled sand, why do we still use filter paper?

   • To make the sand sink faster
   • To remove the heavy sand that sank to the bottom
   • To catch the tiny grains still left in the water

The answers, each with its explanation, are in the app. This quiz is free there while the lesson is in the free week.