Question

Sedimentation is the process of separation of particles from a fluid by

• A. Filtration through a medium
• B. Application of centrifugal force
• C. Settling under gravitational force
• D. Electrical attraction

Hint:

Logic Tip: Think of muddy water sitting in a glass. Leave it alone for an hour, and the dirt falls to the bottom. No spinning, no filters—just plain old gravity doing the work. That is sedimentation.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept:
Sedimentation is one of the most fundamental and passive mechanical separation processes used in chemical engineering and water treatment to separate solid particulates from a liquid.

Step 1: A slurry consists of solid particles suspended in a fluid (usually liquid). The particles have a higher density than the surrounding fluid.

Step 2: When this mixture is allowed to sit undisturbed in a tank (a clarifier or thickener), the primary downward force acting on the mass of every particle is Earth's gravity.

Step 3: Due to this gravitational pull overcoming the fluid's buoyancy and viscous drag, the heavier particles slowly sink (settle) to the bottom of the tank.

Step 4: * Filtration requires pushing the fluid through a physical barrier (mesh/cloth). * Centrifugal separation requires rapidly spinning the fluid (like a cyclone or centrifuge). * Electrical attraction is used in electrostatic precipitators.