Explain the difference between filtration and decantation (see the "general laboratory equipment and procedures" section of this manual). why might one want to use filtration in this experiment rather than decantation?

Decantation and filtration are both methods of separating mixtures. Decantation is the process of separating the liquid phase of a mixture from the solid precipitate, by pouring very carefully the liquid away. Filtration is the process of passing the entire liquid through a filter, where the solid precipitate will be trapped in the filter. Someone would need to use filtration if he wanted to filtrate the entire quantity of the solution. Also if the solid phase of the solution was not a steady sediment and dispersed in the entire liquid phase.