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Science Experiments

Separate Salt and Pepper Science Experiment

Ready, set, go! Can you separate salt and pepper once they’re mixed together? In this super simple science experiment you can!

We’ve included a demonstration video, printable instructions, and an easy to understand explanation of how it works below.

Let’s mix together some salt and pepper and then use science to separate them!

JUMP TO SECTION: Instructions | Video Tutorial | How it Works

Supplies Needed

  • Empty Dish
  • 2 Tablespoons of Table Salt
  • 1 Teaspoon of Black Pepper
  • Plastic Comb

Separate Sale and Pepper Science Experiment Instructions

Step 1 – Begin by adding 2 tablespoons of salt onto an empty plate.

Step 2 – Next, add 1 teaspoon of pepper to the salt and gently shake the plate to combine the salt and pepper.

Step 3 – Take a clean plastic comb and run it through your hair a few times. Then position the comb above the salt and pepper and watch what happens. Take a moment to write down your observations. 

Do you know what caused the pepper to jump onto the comb? Find out the answer in the how does this experiment work section below.

Video Tutorial


How to Separate Salt & Pepper Science Experiment Step by Step Instructions

How Does the Science Experiment Work

Most objects do not have a positive or negative charge, they are neutral. Some objects, like hair combs, have the ability to become charged. At the beginning of the experiment, the comb has a neutral charge. When you run the comb through your hair, you give it an electrical charge. Running the comb through your hair allows electrons from your hair to move onto the comb. This gaining of electrons gives the comb an overall negative charge.

The pepper jumps to the comb for two reasons. The first reason is that grains of pepper are much lighter than grains of salt. If any salt does jump up to the comb, it will likely just fall back because it is too heavy. The second reason that pepper jumps to the comb is because of the idea that unlike electric charges attract. Remember the comb is negatively charged, so this negative charge attracts the positive charge in the grains of pepper. How does the pepper get a positive charge? Pepper polarizes easily, meaning the electrons move to one end of the pepper grain and the protons move to the other end. This leaves one end of the pepper grain with a negative charge and the other end with a positive charge. Salt does not polarize nearly as quickly as pepper.

The outcome of this experiment is a result of static electricity. Static electricity is a stationary (not moving) electric charge that is caused by friction. Lighting in the sky is a result of static electricity!

Other Ideas to Try

Try this experiment with other spices from your spice drawer! Try sugar, yeast, gelatin, garlic powder, garlic salt, lemon pepper seasoning, etc. and see what else is attracted to the negatively charged comb.

More Science Fun

Try your hand at these other experiments that involve static electricity:

  • Make Your Hair Stand on End
  • Static Flyer – The Flying Bag
  • Bending Water Experiment

I hope you enjoyed the experiment. Here are some printable instructions:

Separate Salt Pepper Experiment - Step 3

Separate Salt and Pepper Science Experiment

Materials

  • Empty Dish
  • 2 Tablespoons of Table Salt
  • 1 Teaspoon of Black Pepper
  • Plastic Comb

Instructions

  1. Place 2 tablespoons of salt onto a empty plate.
  2. Add 1 teaspoon of pepper to the salt and gently shake the plate to combine the salt and pepper.
  3. Take a clean plastic comb and run it through your hair a few times.
  4. Position the comb above the salt and pepper and watch what happens.
© Cool Science Experiments HQ
How to Separate Sale & Pepper Science Experiment Steps


5 Comments

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sass says

    August 17, 2016 at 5:05 am

    Put mixture into water
    @
    stir and wait salt to dissolve
    @
    strain with coffee filter
    @
    dry what remains on filter (pepper)
    @
    Boil out water and enjoy pure salt.

    Reply
  2. Deborah says

    December 31, 2016 at 4:35 am

    hi, I am Deborah. This experiment is very cool. Thankyou .bye.

    Reply
  3. Sher P says

    November 25, 2017 at 10:09 am

    Can’t wait to show my 4th graders. Sounds like a cool experiment

    Reply
  4. BushraYasin says

    September 9, 2018 at 8:15 am

    Wow…I can’t wait to show it to my science teacher?cool

    Reply
  5. Laura Petkovic says

    February 4, 2020 at 9:50 pm

    I just tried it with my sons & it was so cool to see their expressions!

    Reply

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Safety is a priority with every science experiment. Before conducting any of the experiments found on CoolScienceExperimentsHQ.com you must get an adult's permission and help, follow the instructions provided as written and wear the appropriate safety gear (protective eyewear, clothing, etc). Have fun and stay safe!
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