How to Filtrate Water From Sand

Filtration is a method to physically separate a solid from a liquid. This separation occurs when a liquid is passed through a filter medium forcing the larger particles of the solid to remain in the filter. This process does not generally lead to complete separation as the solid particles will absorb some of the liquid and smaller particles of the solid may pass through the filter medium. The smaller the pore size and thicker the material of the filter, the more solid particles it captures. Standard laboratory filter paper is sufficient for filtering sand from water as sand particles are typically large.

Things You'll Need

• Beaker (250 cubic centimeters)
• Conical flask (250 cubic centimeters)
• Funnel
• Filter paper

Instructions

1. Pour the sand/water mixture into the beaker. Then, prepare the funnel by folding the filter paper and fitting it into the wide end of the funnel.

2. Place the filter funnel into the top of the conical flask. Make sure that it is sufficiently secured, so that it won't fall out of the flask as you use it.

3. Pour the sand/water mixture slowly into the filter funnel, letting the contents of the funnel completely drain into the flask before refilling. You may need to hold the funnel steady while you pour, so that it doesn't fall out of the flask.

4. Remove the filter paper full of sand from the funnel, and set it aside. Repeat the filtration process, if desired. The sand has been successfully separated from the water.

References

• Perkins: Separating a Mixture