Question

Paheli was feeling thirsty but there was only a pot of water at home which was muddy and unfit for drinking. How do you think Paheli would have made this water fit for drinking if the following materials were available to her.

Alum

tub

muslin cloth

gas stove

thread

pan and lid

Answer 1

With the following materials available to Paheli – alum, tub, muslin cloth, gas stove, thread, pan and lid, she could undertake the following steps to purify water.

1. Filter the muddy water with the help of muslin cloth.
2. Tie the piece of alum with thread and sink in water for some time and then leave water undisturbed.
3. After some time, the impurities will settle down and the water from the top can be decanted.
4. Boil the decanted water for about 10 minutes in a covered pan. Cool and filter the water.
5. The filtered water is fit for drinking.