Question

Differentiate between the terms sedimentation and decantation with a suitable experimental technique.

Answer 1

Hint: The sedimentation and decantation are two different separating processes used to separate mixture of solid component and liquid component. Solids are reasonably heavier than the liquid and have different chemical and physical properties so they can be separated easily by different techniques.

Complete step by step answer:
Sedimentation is defined as the separating technique which is used to separate mixture of solid and liquids. As the solids have higher weight than liquid, the solid component settles down in the bottom of the container.
Example: The mixture of sand and water can be separated by sedimentation process. The solid sand does not dissolve in water and gets settled down in the container due to its heavier weight than water.
Decantation is defined as the separating technique which is used to separate mixture of solid and liquids. The solid settled at the bottom of the container and liquid floating above is separated from the solid by transferring the liquid to another container.
Example: The sand settled at the bottom of the container due to its heavier weight than liquid. The liquid can be separated from the sand by pouring the liquid to a different container.

Note: In both sedimentation process and precipitation process the solid component gets settled at the bottom of the container. The main difference between sedimentation and precipitation is that in sedimentation is depositing of solid particles from the liquid under the impact of gravity and in precipitation the only solid particle settles in the liquid which falls under gravity.