Milady Cosmetology Practice Exam

What is the process called that passes water through a porous substance for purification?

1. Filtration

2. Distillation

3. Evaporation

4. Precipitation

The correct answer is: Filtration

The process that involves passing water through a porous substance for purification is known as filtration. This method works by allowing water to flow through a filter, which typically consists of a porous material that traps impurities and particles, while allowing the clean water to pass through. The effectiveness of filtration in purifying water is due to the size of the pores in the filtering medium, which can be designed to capture specific contaminants, depending on the intended use. In contrast, distillation involves heating water to create steam and then cooling it to condense it back into liquid, which effectively removes impurities, but does not utilize a porous medium. Evaporation refers to the process of turning liquid into vapor, and while it can lead to the purification of substances by leaving behind solid contaminants, it is not characterized by passing water through a filter. Precipitation involves a chemical reaction that causes solid particles to form and settle, which is not related to the purification of water through a porous material. Thus, filtration is the most accurate term for the process described in the question.