Gravity separators rely on which property difference to separate oil from water?

• A. Temperature Difference
• B. Magnetic Alignment
• C. Density Difference
• D. Turbulence Generation

Answer: (C)

Gravity separators rely on density difference between the oil and the water to separate them under gravity. Since oil is less dense than water, the oil phase becomes the top layer and the denser water settles below. The gravity-driven buoyancy causes oil droplets to rise and coalesce, forming a distinct oil layer that can be skimmed off, while the water remains below as the heavy phase. This mechanism is why density contrast is the key factor here. Temperature differences would alter viscosity or solubility but aren’t the primary separation force in gravity separators, magnetic alignment requires magnetic properties that oil and water don’t have, and turbulence would tend to mix the phases rather than separate them.