Separate Salt and Pepper

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

Separate Salt and Pepper Science Experiment Video

How to Separate Salt & Pepper Experiment

Supplies Needed

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

Experiment Instructions

Step 1 – Place 2 tablespoons of salt onto a empty plate.

Step 2 – 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.

How Does the Experiment Work?

Static Electricity is the reason this experiment works.

By rubbing the comb through your hair, it receives a static charge. The static charge causes the grains of pepper, which are lighter than the grains of salt, to jump up onto the comb.

More Science Fun

Try your hand at these other experiment 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’s some printable instructions

Separate Salt and Pepper Science Experiment

Print

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.