I/GCSE Chemistry- Separating mixtures (1/2)

In this I/GCSE Chemistry blog post, we will be introducing the difference between mixture and compounds, and different ways of separating mixtures.

Separating mixtures

A mixture is two or more substances (elements or compounds) not chemically combined together. 

Compounds                                                                       Mixtures

have a fixed composition.                                               have no fixed composition.

are separated by chemical reactions.                             are separated by physical means.

are chemically combined together.                                 are not chemically combined together.

To separate a mixture, you can use physical means. They all rely on differences between the physical properties of the substances in the mixture:

• Filtration
• Crystallisation
• Distillation
• Chromatography

Filtration separates substances that are insoluble in a particular solvent from those soluble in the solvent.

• Collect the sand on filter paper.
• Wash with distilled water to remove any salt solution left on it.
• Dry in a warm oven to evaporate any water off and leave the pure sand.

Crystallisation separates a solid that has dissolved in a liquid and made a solution.

• Evaporate the water from the solution by heating it in an evaporating dish on a water bath.
• Stop when the solution crystallises.
• Leave the water to evaporate off at room temperature.

Simple distillation separates two liquids with different boiling points.

•  A solution is heated and boiled to evaporate the solvent.
• The vapour given off enters the condenser, cools back, and turns back into a liquid for collection.
• Any dissolved solids will remain in the heated flask.

That is all for part 1!

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References:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.guyhowto.com%2Ffiltration-definition-uses-methods%2F&psig=AOvVaw1FKmp23CGeAeKd8K8bcX5a&ust=1628142790447000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCNiJptjWlvICFQAAAAAdAAAAABAK

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscientificmilkshake.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F09%2Fcompunds-mixtures-and-milkshakes.html&psig=AOvVaw0SOdYa8huz0ZZg-4kW_qAj&ust=1628143582733000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCPji3dLZlvICFQAAAAAdAAAAABAI