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Jimmy Snyder
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It most distinctly isDaveC426913 said:
You could slip a solid object such as a piece of glass between the balloon and the mixture. No separation.
How Can You Separate Salt and Pepper Without Physical Contact?
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the challenge of separating a mixture of salt and pepper without any physical contact. Participants explore various methods and theories related to this problem, including physical properties of the substances and creative approaches to separation.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- Some participants assert that physical separation is impossible without touching the mixture.
- Others suggest using static electricity as a method of separation, although this raises questions about whether it constitutes physical interaction.
- One participant proposes using a centrifuge, arguing that salt is heavier than pepper, but acknowledges the difficulty of using it without physical contact.
- Another participant describes an experiment where boiling water was used, claiming that the salt sank and the pepper floated, leading to separation.
- There is a discussion about the melting points and densities of salt and pepper, with some participants questioning the feasibility of heating them to separate the components.
- Several participants engage in a playful tone, questioning the rules of the challenge and suggesting alternative methods or clarifications.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants generally do not reach a consensus on the methods of separation, with multiple competing views and ongoing debate about the feasibility of suggested techniques.
Contextual Notes
Participants express uncertainty about the properties of salt and pepper, including their melting points and densities, which may affect the proposed methods of separation. The discussion also highlights the ambiguity of what constitutes "physical contact."
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