Very small insoluble particles in a liquid may be separated from it by...
Sometimes the solid particles in a liquid are very small and can pass through a filter paper. For such particles, the filtration technique cannot be used for separation. Such mixtures are separated by centrifugation.
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Very small insoluble particles in a liquid may be separated from it by...
Centrifugation
Centrifugation is the process of separating particles from a liquid based on their density. It involves spinning a mixture at high speeds, causing the heavier particles to move towards the bottom of the container, forming a pellet. This technique is commonly used to separate very small insoluble particles from liquids.
How it works:
- When the mixture is spun in a centrifuge, the centrifugal force pushes the heavier particles outwards, causing them to settle at the bottom.
- The liquid portion of the mixture, now free from the insoluble particles, can be carefully poured or decanted off.
- The pellet containing the separated particles can then be collected and further processed if needed.
Advantages of centrifugation:
- It is a quick and efficient method for separating particles of different densities.
- It can handle large volumes of liquid and is easily scalable for industrial applications.
- Centrifugation is gentle on the particles, making it suitable for fragile samples.
In conclusion, centrifugation is a valuable technique for separating very small insoluble particles from liquids. It is widely used in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and environmental science for purification and analysis purposes.