Question

Which of the following processes is not a physical process of separation?
(A)Levigation
(B)Magnetic Separation
(C)Leaching
(D)Froth Floatation

Answer 1

Hint:The process occurs mainly in soil and it occurs naturally. Decomposition of plants also occurs due to this process.

Complete step by step answer:
Let us discuss each process given in the option.
-Levigation is the process which involves the grinding of an insoluble substance to a fine powder when it is wet. The substance is introduced into a mill with water, and is powdered. This powdered substance remains suspended and flows from the mill as a turbid or thin paste, depending on the amount of water used. It is a physical process.
-Process of separating components of mixtures by using magnets to attract magnetic materials is called magnetic separation. It is a physical process. It is used to purify certain ores. Either the impurities will be magnetic or the ore is magnetic and the ore is purified.
-Leaching is a chemical process. It involves the loss or extraction of certain materials from a carrier into a liquid. It is a process in which solute gets detached or extracted from its carrier substance by way of a solvent. It is a naturally occurring process.
-Selectively separating hydrophobic materials from hydrophilic substances is called froth floatation. Mainly used in mineral processing and waste water treatment. In this process, physically the components are separated. It has a wide application in metallurgy.
Thus, we can conclude that leaching is a chemical process and not a physical process. The answer to the question is option (C).

Note:
All the other given options are physical processes because they are related to some mechanical process. But leaching is due to chemical reactions taking place.