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Methods of Separation in Everyday Life – Class 6 Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 6 Science, chapter 9. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

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Chapter overview

We separate mixtures to remove unwanted parts or to get useful parts. The method depends on the properties of the components.

Common methods

  • Handpicking (stones from rice), threshing (grain from stalks), winnowing (husk blown away by wind), sieving (flour from bran).
  • Sedimentation and decantation (mud settles; clear water poured off), filtration (filter paper or cloth).
  • Evaporation (salt from seawater), condensation, magnetic separation.

Choosing a method

  • Size difference → sieving or handpicking.
  • Weight difference → winnowing or sedimentation.
  • Soluble vs insoluble → dissolve and filter; then evaporate to get the soluble part back.

Key terms

Winnowing
separating lighter husk from heavier grain using wind
Decantation
pouring off a liquid without disturbing the settled solid
Filtration
separating insoluble solids from a liquid using a filter

Formulas

  • Salt + sand: dissolve → filter → evaporate

Important questions with answers

Why do we need to separate substances?2 marks

To remove unwanted or harmful parts (stones from rice), to get useful parts (butter from curd), or to separate two useful parts.

How will you separate a mixture of sand, iron filings and salt?3 marks

Move a magnet over the mixture to pull out iron filings. Add water to the rest and stir so salt dissolves; filter to remove sand; evaporate the solution to get salt.

Name the method used and explain it: (i) husk from grain, (ii) butter from buttermilk, (iii) muddy water to clear water, (iv) small stones from rice, (v) flour bran from flour.5 marks

(i) Winnowing: grain is dropped from a height in wind; light husk blows away and heavier grain falls. (ii) Churning: shaking curd makes lighter butter collect on top. (iii) Sedimentation and decantation, then filtration: let mud settle, pour off the water, and pass it through a filter. (iv) Handpicking: stones are picked out by hand. (v) Sieving: fine flour passes through the holes, bran stays behind.

Quick revision

  • Winnowing uses wind.
  • Filtration removes insoluble solids.
  • Evaporation recovers dissolved solids.

Exam tips

  • Some mixtures need more than one method in order.
  • Salt is obtained from seawater by evaporation in salt pans.

Practice MCQs

  1. Stones are removed from rice by

    1. winnowing
    2. filtration
    3. handpicking
    4. evaporation
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) handpicking. Large, visible stones.

  2. Husk is separated from grain by

    1. sieving
    2. condensation
    3. magnet
    4. winnowing
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) winnowing. Wind blows away the light husk.

  3. Salt is obtained from seawater by

    1. filtration
    2. decantation
    3. sieving
    4. evaporation
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) evaporation. Water evaporates.

  4. Muddy water is cleared by

    1. sedimentation, decantation and filtration
    2. winnowing only
    3. magnet
    4. sieving only
    Show answer

    Answer: (a) sedimentation, decantation and filtration. Settle, pour, filter.

  5. Tea leaves are separated from tea using

    1. winnowing
    2. magnet
    3. sieving or filtration
    4. evaporation
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) sieving or filtration. Strainer.

  6. To separate salt from a mixture of salt and sand, the correct order is

    1. evaporate, filter, dissolve
    2. filter, dissolve, sieve
    3. sieve, winnow, filter
    4. dissolve in water, filter, evaporate
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) dissolve in water, filter, evaporate. Salt dissolves; sand stays on the filter.

  7. Iron filings mixed with sulphur powder are best separated by

    1. filtration
    2. a magnet
    3. winnowing
    4. evaporation
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) a magnet. Iron is magnetic.

  8. Salt is obtained from sea water by

    1. filtration
    2. handpicking
    3. decantation
    4. evaporation
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) evaporation. Water evaporates, salt remains.

All chapters of Class 6 Science

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.