To separate a mixture of sand, salt, and water, we can use the following steps:
### Step-by-Step Solution:
1. **Let the Mixture Settle**:
- Take the mixture of sand, salt, and water in a beaker (let's call it Beaker 1).
- Leave Beaker 1 undisturbed for some time. During this time, the heavier sand will settle at the bottom of the beaker due to gravity.
**Hint**: Allowing the mixture to sit undisturbed helps the heavier particles settle down.
2. **Decantation**:
- After the sand has settled, carefully pour the liquid (which contains salt and water) from Beaker 1 into another beaker (let's call it Beaker 2). This process of pouring off the liquid without disturbing the settled sand is called **decantation**.
**Hint**: Pour slowly to avoid mixing the sand back into the liquid.
3. **Evaporation**:
- Now, in Beaker 2, you have a mixture of salt and water. To separate the salt from the water, heat Beaker 2. As the water heats up, it will start to evaporate, leaving the salt behind.
- Continue heating until all the water has evaporated, and only salt remains in Beaker 2.
**Hint**: Make sure to heat gently to avoid splattering and ensure complete evaporation.
4. **Filtration (Optional Method)**:
- Alternatively, you can use filtration to separate the sand from the mixture. Pass the mixture through filter paper placed in a funnel. The sand will remain on the filter paper, while the salt and water will pass through.
- After filtration, you can heat the collected liquid (saltwater) to evaporate the water and obtain salt.
**Hint**: Filtration is useful when you want to separate solids from liquids based on size.
### Summary of Methods Used:
- **Decantation**: To separate sand from the mixture.
- **Evaporation**: To separate salt from the saltwater solution.
- **Filtration**: An alternative method to separate sand from the mixture.
### Final Answer:
You can separate the mixture of sand, salt, and water by using **decantation** and **evaporation**. Alternatively, you can also use **filtration** followed by **evaporation**.
