Question

What is sieving? Where can it be used?

Answer 1

Hint: There are heterogeneous mixtures that can be separated into its constituent elements or components. This is done with the help of various mixture separation techniques. One of these techniques is sieving.

Complete step by step answer:
- Most of the mixtures that we come across are made up of two or more pure substances. And to use these substances individually, we need to separate them.
- For example, when we buy flour from the market we don't directly use it for cooking purposes, rather we first separate the impurities from the flour using some separation methods.
- For this purpose, we generally use sieve plates to separate the flour from the impurities.
- The fine flour is allowed to pass through the holes of the sieve plates while the bigger impurities remain on the plates of the sieve, separating the fine flour from the impurities.
- This method in which the separation of substances is done on the basis of different sizes is known as sieving.
- It separates the coarse particles from the fine particles using the sieve plates.
- The size of the holes in the sieve plates can vary from one place to another depending upon its application.
- Sieving can be used in flour mills. Here, it is used to separate impurities like husks and stones from wheat.
- It can also be used at construction sites. Here, it used to separate pebbles and stones from sand.

Note: Advantages of sieving:
- It is a very easy method of separation as it does not require much of our skill.
- It is a cheap method as it has a low installation cost.
- Time taken by this method to separate impurities is less as compared to other methods of separation.