Describe the separation method(s) involved in brewing a cup of coffee. [Section 1.3]

First, coffee beans are ground to form coffee grounds, which have a gritty texture. This step does not involve any separation techniques but is essential for the extraction of flavors from the coffee beans.

Next, water is heated in a kettle or coffee maker. Heating the water by itself does not involve any separation processes. However, it is a necessary step to prepare for the brewing process as hot water helps extract the flavors and oils from the coffee grounds.

The hot water is then poured over the coffee grounds, usually placed in a filter or coffee device. The hot water helps to dissolve the soluble components in the coffee grounds, including flavors, oils, and caffeine. At this stage, a mixture of water and dissolved coffee components is formed which we will refer to as the "coffee mixture."

The coffee mixture is then filtered through a paper or metal filter, which separates the liquid coffee mixture from the solid coffee grounds. Filtration is a separation method that relies on the difference in particle size to separate solid substances from liquids. In this case, the filter allows the liquid coffee to pass through while retaining the solid coffee grounds.

After filtration, the liquid coffee is usually collected in a coffee pot or cup. It is essential to carefully pour the liquid coffee without disturbing the settled coffee grounds. This process is called decantation, which is a separation method based on the difference in density between the liquid and the solid phases. By carefully pouring the coffee, the liquid can be separated from the solid grounds that settled at the bottom. In conclusion, filtration and decantation are the two main separation methods involved in brewing a cup of coffee. Filtration separates the liquid coffee mixture from the solid coffee grounds, while decantation helps to further separate the liquid coffee from any remaining solid grounds.