Scale of Particles through Filtration - Teacher Resource
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Activity 1 Student Version
Activity 1 Teacher Resource
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Activity 1 - Scale of Particles through Filtration
Purpose of Activity
This activity allows students to gain an understanding of how the size of a substance determines its ability to be filtered from a mixture. Questions in this activity introduce the concept of nanoparticles and adsorption properties. This activity addresses the aspects of the Victorian curriculum in the table below. This activity can be tailored to make the use of more science inquiry skills necessary.
Victorian Curriculum (Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority n.d., Science)
Activity Notes
The YouTube video entitled ‘How Does Activated Charcoal Work?’ by SciShow explains how powdered activated charcoal can remove impurities from liquids and gases through the process of adsorption. This video reinforces the concepts that the filtration activity draws upon and provides an alternative way to introduce these ideas. The hyperlink for this video is below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d86glQNK8wo
The water filtration apparatus can be bought from Kmart. This kit contains pebbles and sand. The following pictures display the set-up of this apparatus and the expected results from both of the filtration processes specified in this activity. The use of charcoal can become messy. Therefore, a laboratory coat, safety glasses and gloves should be worn.
Carefully pour mixture into the filtration apparatus as it will take some time to flow through the different materials in the apparatus. Air pockets in the apparatus may form, exerting pressure on the columns and preventing the mixture from flowing through.
The pebbles and sand from the filtration kit can be dried overnight on paper towel and be reused. Be careful when pulling the columns of filtration apparatus apart as contents might be released with force.
Laboratory Safety Notes
Activated charcoal powder:
Hazards – Potential skin and eye irritant. May be toxic to lungs. Do not ingest. Flammable.
Precautions – Laboratory coat, safety glasses and gloves should be worn. Do not subject substance to heat or place near sources of ignition.
More information can be found using the following hyperlink:
http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9923375
References:
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ScienceLab.com n.d., Material Safety Data Sheet Charcoal, Activated, Powder MSDS, ScienceLab.com, retrieved 8 September 2018, <http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9923375>.
Taghavi, S, M, Momenpour, M, Azarian, M, Ahmadian, M, Souri, F, Taghavi, S, A, Sadeghain, M & Karchani, M 2013, ‘Effects of Nanoparticles on the Environment and Outdoor Workplaces’, Electronic Physician, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 702-712, retrieved 6 September 2018, <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4477780/>.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 2016, Talc (containing no asbestos and less than 1% quartz), NIOSH, retrieved 21 October 2018, <https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0584.html>.
United States National Nanotechnology Initiative n.d., Seeing at the Nanoscale, United States National Nanotechnology Initiative, retrieved 7 September 2018, <https://www.nano.gov/nanotech-101/what/seeing-nano>.
Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority n.d., Level 8, Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, retrieved 9 September 2018 <http://victoriancurriculum.vcaa.vic.edu.au/level8>.
Zazenski, R, Ashton, W.H, Briggs, D, Chudkowski, M, Kelse, J.W, MacEachern, L, McCarthy, E.F, Nordhauser, M, Roddy, M.T, Teetsel, N.M, Wells, A.B & Gettings, S.D 1995, ‘Talc: Occurrence, Characterization, and Consumer Applications’, Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 218-229, retrieved 21 October 2018, <https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S027323008571032X>.