Cream is separated from the milk by which of the following

Answer: Cream is separated from the milk by centrifugation. Centrifugation is a process that uses rapid spinning to separate components of a mixture based on their densities. Heavier particles settle at the bottom, while lighter ones rise or stay suspended. Thus, the correct answer is option A.

Complete Answer:

Centrifugation is a mechanical process that separates components of a mixture based on their relative densities using centrifugal force. When milk is spun rapidly in a centrifuge, the heavier components, like skimmed milk, mostly water and proteins, move outward due to the centrifugal force, while the lighter fat globules that make up cream move inward or rise to the top. This process allows the cream to be efficiently separated from the milk without the need for any chemicals.

In dairy industries and even in some household setups, centrifugation is a common method used to produce cream, toned milk, and skimmed milk from whole milk. This separation happens because mostly fat cream is less dense than the liquid part of the milk (water and dissolved solids). The process is quick and does not alter the properties of either component.

Reference to the Given Options

To clearly understand why centrifugation is the correct answer, let us look at each of the other options and see why they do not match the context of separating cream from milk.

B. Condensation

Condensation is the process where gas turns into liquid upon cooling, such as water vapour condensing into water droplets. It is a change of state and does not separate components of a liquid mixture. Thus, it is irrelevant to separate cream from milk.

C. Chromatography

Chromatography is a chemical separation technique used to separate mixtures of solutes, especially those with different rates of movement across a medium. The process is ideal for separating ink, dyes, or plant pigments, not liquid mixtures like milk and cream.

D. Filtration

Filtration is used to separate solids from liquids or gases using a porous medium, like a filter paper. Since both milk and cream are liquids, filtration cannot be used to separate them.

Let us learn 

Get insights for the list of each process, and what each method is commonly used for in real life.

List of Options	Name of Process	Used For
Centrifugation	Separation by Spinning	Separating cream from milk, blood components, and wastewater treatment
Condensation	Gas to Liquid Conversion	Converting steam to water, distillation, and industrial cooling
Chromatography	Separation by Movement	Separating dyes, pigments, and chemical mixtures
Filtration	Solid-Liquid Separation	Separating tea leaves from tea, sand from water, and other solid-liquid mixtures

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