Class 6 Science: Sorting and Separation of Materials Olympiad Questions

Every day we see different things in our surroundings, and everything is of some material. We identify materials because each material varies in various aspects.

The classification of materials depending on their properties

Appearance

Every material looks different from one another. For example, the paper looks different from a pencil, iron looks different from copper, and so on. But although some materials look different, they might have some similarities.

Hardness

The materials which we cannot compress with our hands are called hard materials. These include stone, table, and many more.

The materials which we can press with our hands are soft. Examples are cotton, sponges.

We can easily differentiate materials based on their hardness by touching them.

Transparency

Some materials are transparent, which means the other side is visible through these materials. Examples are glass, water, and air.

Separation of materials

Some situations insist on the separation of materials from one another.

Handpicking

We can separate large materials with this method. Examples are rice and pulses.

Threshing

The separation of grains from stalks is called threshing.

Winnowing

In this method, the lighter and heavier particles of a mixture separate by blowing air.

Sieving

In sieving, the flour is allowed to pass through the sieve leaving behind the impurities.

Sedimentation

In this method, when water is substituted the mixture, and the heavier component settle down.

Evaporation

The transformation of water into its vapor is called evaporation.