Illustration showing how to prepare a filter paper cone for gravity filtration. The filter paper circle in (a) is folded in half (b), and folded in half again (c). The folded filter paper is parted (d) and a small corner is torn off (e). The filter paper is opened up into a cone and placed in the funnel (f ).
The proper procedure for transferring the supernatant to the filter paper cone is shown here. The precipitate remains in beaker and rinsed with water (or other suitable liquid), with the rinsings decanted through the filter paper. Finally, the precipitate is transferred onto the filter paper using a stream of rinse solution. Any precipitate clinging to the walls of the beaker is transferred using a rubber policeman (a flexible rubber spatula attached to the end of a glass stirring rod).
