NCERT Class 6 Science Curiosity: Chapter 9 — Methods of Separation in Everyday Life
This chapter, "Methods of Separation in Everyday Life," from NCERT's Class 6 Science Curiosity book, introduces fundamental separation techniques used in daily life. It begins with a poetic quote from Kabir emphasizing the importance of retaining good and discarding bad, paralleling it with physical separation processes. The chapter uses the relatable example of Malli and Valli visiting their Nani's house, where they witness and learn about handpicking stones and husk from grains. It explains handpicking as a method based on differences in size, color, and shape, suitable for small quantities. The text also introduces threshing, the process of separating grains from stalks, observed in the fields. The chapter highlights the practical applications of these methods in everyday scenarios, making science accessible and engaging for young learners.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 6 |
| Subject | Science |
| Book | Curiosity |
| Chapter | Chapter 9 — Methods of Separation in Everyday Life |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 239 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the need for separating mixtures in everyday life.
- Identify and describe the handpicking method of separation.
- Explain the process of threshing for separating grains from stalks.
- Appreciate the practical applications of separation techniques.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Husk | The dry outer covering of a cereal grain. |
| Handpicking | A method of separation by picking out unwanted substances from a mixture with hands. |
| Threshing | The process of beating harvested stalks to separate grains from them. |
| Mixture | A substance comprising two or more components not chemically bonded. |
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Practice questions
- What is handpicking? Answer: Handpicking is a method of separating components of a mixture by picking them out with hands, based on differences in size, color, or shape.
- Why do we separate stones from grains? Answer: We separate stones from grains so that the grains are fit for cooking and consumption.
- What is threshing? Answer: Threshing is the process used to separate grains from the stalks of harvested crops.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main idea of the chapter 'Methods of Separation in Everyday Life'?
The chapter introduces basic methods like handpicking and threshing used to separate useful components from mixtures in daily life.
When is handpicking a suitable method for separation?
Handpicking is suitable when the unwanted particles are present in small quantities and can be easily picked by hand, based on differences in size, color, or shape.
What is the purpose of threshing?
Threshing is done to separate grains from the stalks of harvested crops.
What is an example of handpicking mentioned in the chapter?
Separating small stones and husk from grains, and separating black peppers from pulao are examples of handpicking.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 6 Science — Curiosity — Chapter 9 — Methods of Separation in Everyday Life. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.