One key difference between filtration and distillation lies in how they remove impurities from water.
Filtration and distillation are both processes used to purify liquids, but they employ fundamentally different mechanisms to separate substances. According to the reference, a primary distinction is the method of impurity removal.
How Filtration Works
Filtration relies on a physical or chemical barrier, known as a filter, to capture or trap impurities. Imagine pouring muddy water through a screen or special paper; the water passes through, but the larger mud particles are left behind. This method is effective for removing suspended solids, sediments, and sometimes even smaller particles or dissolved substances depending on the filter type.
How Distillation Works
In contrast, distillation uses a phase change process. It involves boiling the water, turning it into steam, and then condensing the steam back into liquid water. The reference states that distillation removes impurities by boiling and condensing water. When water boils, most impurities – like salts, minerals, heavy metals, and bacteria – are left behind in the original container because they do not vaporize as easily as water. The pure steam is then collected and cooled, returning it to a highly purified liquid state.
Key Difference Highlighted
Based on the reference provided, one significant difference is:
- Filtration removes impurities by physically or chemically trapping them in a filter, while distillation removes impurities by boiling and condensing water.
This difference in mechanism directly impacts the types of impurities removed and the resulting purity level, which the reference also notes as another point of distinction.
