Removing salt from seawater (non-statutory)
I can investigate ways of making seawater safe to drink.
Removing salt from seawater (non-statutory)
I can investigate ways of making seawater safe to drink.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The water in our seas and oceans contains salt. This water is not safe for drinking.
- Evaporation can be used to remove the water from a salt solution.
- Condensation is when a water in the gas state (water vapour) is cooled so that it changes to water in the liquid state.
- Scientists and engineers investigate ways of making seawater safe to drink using evaporation and condensation.
- Microorganisms must also be removed from water to make it safe to drink.
Keywords
Seawater - Seawater is water from a sea or ocean.
Solution - Some solids dissolve in liquids to form a solution.
Evaporation - Evaporation is the change of state from a liquid to a gas.
Condensation - Condensation is the change of state from a gas to a liquid.
Desalination - Desalination is the process of removing salt from seawater.
Common misconception
Saltwater is safe to drink.
Teaching slides will explain that drinking saltwater can make us ill and will explain the process of desalination.
Equipment
Desk lamp, large bowl, small bowl / ramekin, recycled plastic bag, elastic band, 200 ml salt solution, 5 coins or other weight.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
Loading...
Starter quiz
6 Questions
solid
liquid
gas