Filter Bed - GCSE Chemistry Definition

Reviewed by: Richard Boole

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A filter bed is a part of a water purification system that helps clean water by removing impurities and small particles. It consists of layers of materials like sand, gravel, and sometimes charcoal. As dirty water passes through these layers, the materials trap dirt, bacteria, and other unwanted substances, allowing only cleaner water to get through. This process is important in providing safe drinking water and is a practical example of physical filtration, which is a key concept in chemistry. Filter beds show how simple materials can be used to solve real-world problems by using scientific principles.

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Richard Boole

Reviewer: Richard Boole

Expertise: Chemistry Content Creator

Richard has taught Chemistry for over 15 years as well as working as a science tutor, examiner, content creator and author. He wasn’t the greatest at exams and only discovered how to revise in his final year at university. That knowledge made him want to help students learn how to revise, challenge them to think about what they actually know and hopefully succeed; so here he is, happily, at SME.

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