How do decantation and filtration differ? Which should be faster?
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Decantation and filtration are both separation techniques used to separate mixtures based on their physical properties. However, they differ in the mechanism and purpose of separation.
Decantation is a method used to separate immiscible liquids or a liquid from insoluble solid particles. It involves pouring off the top layer of liquid while leaving the sediment or solid particles at the bottom untouched. Decantation is based on the difference in density between the liquid and solid components.
Filtration, on the other hand, is a technique used to separate solid particles from a liquid or gas by passing it through a filter medium. The filter traps the solid particles while allowing the liquid or gas to pass through. Filtration works based on the particle size and the porosity of the filter medium.
In terms of speed, filtration is generally faster than decantation. Filtration can be relatively faster because it involves actively passing the mixture through a filter, which helps to trap the solid particles quickly. Decantation, on the other hand, relies on gravity and the settling of particles at the bottom of a container, so it may take longer for the solid particles to separate from the liquid.