Methods of Separation in Everyday Life Class 6 Questions and Answers NCERT Solutions
Class 6 Science Chapter 9 Methods of Separation in Everyday Life Question Answer
Let Us Enhance Our Learning
Question 1.
What purpose does hand picking serve in the process of separation?
(i) Filtration
(ii) Sorting
(iii) Evaporation
(iv) Decantation
Answer:
(ii) Sortin
Question 2.
Which of the following substances are commonly separated using the churning method?
(i) Oil from water
(ii) Sand from water
(iii) Cream from milk
(iv) Oxygen from air
Answer:
(iii) Cream from milk
Question 3.
Which factor is usually essential for the filtration?
(i) Apparatus size
(it) Presence of air
(iii) Pore’ size
(iv) Temperature of the mixture
Answer:
(iii) Pore size
Question 4.
State with reason (s) whether the following statements are True [T] or False [F]. Also, correct the False statement(s).
(i) Salt can be separated from salt solution by keeping it under the Sun. [ ]
(ii) Handpicking should be used only when the quantity of one’component is less. [ ]
(iii) A mixture of puffed rice and rice grains can be separated by threshing. [ ]
(iv) A mixture of mustard oil and lemon water can be separated by decantation. [ ]
(v) Sieving is used to separate a mixture of rice flour and water. [ ]
Answer:
(i) [True] : Salt can be separated from salt solution by keeping it under the Sun by the process of evaporation.
(ii) [True] : Handpicking should be used only when the quantity of one component is less.
(iii) [False] : A mixture of puffed rice and rice grains can be separated by threshing.
Corrected statement A mixture of puffed rice and rice grains can be separated by winnowing.
(iv) [True] : A mixture of mustard oil and lemon water can be separated by decantation. As mustard oil is insoluble in lemon water and forms a separate layer after getting mixed.
(v) [False] : Sieving is used to separate a mixture of rice flour and water.
Corrected statement Sieving is used to separate solid-solid mixture of different sizes and not for separating solid from liquid. A mixture of rice flour and water can be separated by filtration or decantation.
Question 5.
Match the mixture in Column I with their method of separation in Column II.
| Column I | Column II | ||
| (i) | Gram flour mixed with black gram. | (a) | Handpicking |
| (ii) | Chalk powder mixed with water. | (b) | Magnetic separation |
| (iii) | Com mixed with potatoes. | (c) | Decantation |
| (iv) | Iron powder mixed with saw-dust. | (d) | Sieving |
| (v) | Oil mixed with water. | (e) | Filtration |
Answer:
| Column I | Column II | ||
| (i) | Gram flour mixed with black gram. | (d) | Sieving |
| (ii) | Chalk powder mixed with water. | (e) | Filtration |
| (iii) | Com mixed with potatoes. | (a) | Handpicking |
| (iv) | Iron powder mixed with saw-dust. | (b) | Magnetic separation |
| (v) | Oil mixed with water. | (e) | Decantation |
Question 6.
In what situations wouldyou use decantation instead of filtration to separate solids from liquids?
Answer:
Decantation is used when the solid particles are heavy and settle down at the bottom of the container, allowing the clear liquid to be poured off without disturbing the solid sediment. For example separating sand from water.
Question 7.
Can you relate the presence of nasal hair to any separation process?
Answer:
Nasal hair filters the air we breathe and therefore protects us from infection by airborne viruses, bacteria and other germs.
Question 8.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, all of us wore masks. Generally, what material are they made of? What is the role of these masks?
Answer:
We all wore mask during COVID-19 pandemic to project ourselves from infection caused by virus infected air around us. Masks are made of cloth or other material that filters out particles and comfortable or breathable. Masks are generally made of maerials like cotton, synthetic fibers, etc. Their role is to filter out airborne particles, including viruses and bacteria.
We put a mask on our nose to protect our self from dirt, infected or polluted air. Since the mask avoids exposure to the infected air, harmful exhaust of vehicles, thus prevents harmful gases, infected air and dust particles entering our body.
Question 9.
A mixture containing potatoes, salt and sawdust has been given to you. Outline a stepwise procedure for separating each component from this mixture.
Answer:
A mixture containing potatoes, salt and sawdust can be separated by using following steps:
(a) Separating the potatoes from the mixture by hand-picking method.
(b) Adding water to the remaining mixture to make a solution, as salt dissolves in water while sawdust remains insoluble in water.
(c) Filter the mixture using a filter paper to separate sawdust from the solution of salt in water.
(d) Evaporate the water from the salt solution to get the salt.
Question 10.
Read the following story titled ‘Intelligent Leela’ and tick the most appropriate options. Provide a suitable title of your choice of the paragraph.
Answer:
- Appropriate options
- Thirsty/hungry – thirsty
- Water/grains – water
- Fit/unfit – unfit
- Filtered/churned – filtered
- Paper/muslin cloth – muslin cloth
- Cooled/boiled – boiled
- Cooling/boiling – boiling
- Filtered/churned – filtered
- Fit/unfit – fit
NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science Chapter 9 Methods of Separation in Everyday Life
Intext Questions
Question 1.
A small amount of puffed rice is mixed with chana dal. Can you think of separating the mixture by any method other than handpicking? (Page 165)
Answer:
Yes, the other method is winnowing.
Question 2.
Valli is unable to separate husk from rice in a closed room. How can you help her? (Page 166)
Answer:
Valli cannot separate husk from rice in a closed room. She should go in an open windy place or put a fan in the room. She can now separate them by using winnowing method, which causes separation of heavier and lighter components of a mixture by wind or by blowing air.
Question 3.
Have you ever observed sieves being used at construction sites to separate pebbles and stones from the sand? (Page 167)
Answer:
Yes, slanting sieves are used at construction sites to separate pebbles and stones from the sand.

Question 4.
Have you ever observed white patches on the dark coloured clothes you wear during hot summers? How are these patches formed? (Page 168)
Answer:
Sweat contains salts and water. During hot summers, the water of sweat evaporates, and leaves behind the salts which appear as white patches on the dark coloured clothes.
Question 5.
Is there any method through which I can get back both salt and water. Observe the figure.

Does it answer the question? Can you name the process involved. (Page 169)
Answer:
Yes, it answer the question. The process involved is condensation.
Question 6.
In the chapter ‘Materials Around Us’, you have studied that oil does not mix with water and forms a separate layer when left undisturbed for some time. Which method of separation would you use to separate oil and water? (Page 170)
Answer:
Decantation method is used for separating two immiscible liquids, like oil and water as they do not mix with each other and forms a separate layer due to difference in weight. So, these two layers can be separated very easily through decantation, by pouring the top layer (oil) in another beaker or container, leaving behind the lower layer (water).
Question 7.
Can you name one kitchen appliance which runs on electricity that is used to prepare buttermilk? (Page 174)
Answer:
Electric mixer is used to prepare buttermilk.
Let’s Investigate
Activity 1 (Page 165)
Aim : To separate the roasted peanuts from the peanut skins.
Materials Required Roasted peanuts.
Procedure :
- Take a handful of roasted peanuts.
- Rub these roasted peanuts between your palms.
- Trying blowing the mixture in your hands.
Observation : After rubbing, the peanuts skin get removed from peanuts. While blowing, removed peanut skins, being lighter, gets blown away from the mixture thus, we get peanuts (heavier) left in gur hands.
Conclusion : We can conclude that the roasted peanuts can be separated from the peanut skins by using the process of winnowing. It means the blowing air separates the heavier and the lighter components.
Viva Questions :
1. What is the main purpose of the method of separation used in this activity?
2. How can you separate husk from rice grains?
Activity 2 (Page 168)
Aim To separate salt from salt-water solution.
Materials Required A container, 2-3 teaspoons of salt, stirring rod, black or dark coloured thick paper.
Procedure :
- Take a container and fill it half with water.
- Add 2-3 teaspoons of salt into it and stirr it using stirring rod till the salt dissolves to form a solution.
- Spread a few drops of the salt solution on the small piece of black or dark coloured thick paper by making any random art.
- Allow it to dry for some time till all the water get evaporated from the thick paper.
Observation : After some time, white patches on the thick paper is observed and the presence of salt in the form of white powder is felt.
Conclusion : Salt gets separated from the salt-water solution through the process of evaporation.
Viva Questions :
1. What will happen when we add sugar instead of salt?
2. Why is white patches formed on the thick paper?
Activity 3 (Page 169)
Aim : To separate salt from salt-water solution by evaporation.
Materials Required Salt, water, teaspoon, bowl, china dish, spirit lamp, tripod stand and wire gauze.

Procedure :
- Take a teaspoon of salt and mix it with water to make salt solution in a bowl.
- Take some salt solution in a china dish.
- Heat the solution and let the water to completely boil as shown in the figure.
- Then, allow the china dish to cool.
Observation After complete vapourisation, there is a white residue, salt is left behind in the china dish.
Conclusion We can conclude that salt (solid substance) which is soluble in water (liquid) can be separated out through the process called evaporation.
Viva Questions :
1. Can we also evaporate water in the presence of the sun?
2. Do we get pure salt from evaporation?
Activity 4 (Page 171-172)
Aim : To separate clear water from muddy water by using the process of filtration.
Materials Required Muddy water, filter paper, funnel, 2 glasses etc.
Procedure :
1. Fold the filter paper into a cone and place it inside the funnel, which is kept on an empty glass.
2. Pour half a glass of muddy water into the funnel.

Observation : Solid particles or mud in the mixture do not pass through funnel and remain on the filter paper as residue and the liquid passes through the filter paper and gets collected in the glass.
Conclusion : We can conclude that the given muddy water can be turned to clear water by using the process of filtration.
Viva Questions :
1. Name other examples of mixtures which can be separated by this activity.
2. What is the purpose of filter paper?
Do It yourself (DIY)
I. Aim To separate sand, salt and water present in a mixture.
II. Aim To separate sand and pebbles by the process of sieving.