Question

Decantation is a:
(A) Process of transferring the clear liquid without disturbing the sediments
(B) Process of separating an insoluble solid from a liquid using filter paper
(C) Process of settling down heavier, insoluble particles from a mixture
(D) Process in which a solid change directly into the vapour state

Answer 1

Hint: Decantation is the process of separating mixtures of immiscible liquids or a liquid and solid mixture such as suspension. It is the process where liquid can be separated from sediments or another immiscible liquid with different density manually.

Complete step by step solution:
Decantation is frequently used to purify a liquid by separating it from suspension or sediment of insoluble particles. Initially the mixture is taken for sedimentation where all the heavier particles settle down to the bottom of the container and the clear liquid which is at the upper layer is transferred to another container and followed by decantation is done.
Hence decantation is considered as a process of transferring the clear liquid without disturbing the sediments.
$\therefore $ Option A is the answer.

Additional Information:
Decantation is categorized into two types:
Immiscible Liquid Separation
Consider the example of water upon oil forming an immiscible mixture because of the difference in densities a distinct layer is formed between two liquids. We can separate them by simply pouring the oil which is at the top of the water into a separate container but it seems to be an incomplete method of separation because it is difficult to pour the oil out without any water particles. As an we can make use of a separating funnel which consists of a valve at the bottom makes the separation of these immiscible liquids easier.
Liquid Solid Separation
By this method of decantation, it is possible to separate solid liquid mixtures by allowing gravity to make the solid particles to settle at the bottom. The mixture is taken in a test tube and the test tube is kept at an angle of $45^\circ $which allows the solid particles to settle at the bottom and separate the liquid out.

Note:
One of the frequent uses of this process of decantation is to purify liquid by separating it from suspension of insoluble particles. Decantation is also widely applied in the field of nanotechnology. It is used in the manufacture of high-quality silver nanowire.