Interactive Chemistry Worksheets for Students |
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There are a variety of techniques that can be used to separate mixtures into pure substances. Each method uses differences in the physical properties of the materials in the mixture to achieve separation.
Method of separation | Used to separate ... |
Filtration | an insoluble solid from a liquid based upon differences in size. eg. clay from water |
Evaporation | a soluble solid from a liquid based upon differences in boiling points. eg. salt from sea water |
Crystallisation | two or more soluble solids from one another based upon differences in solubilities |
Distillation | a solvent from a soluble solid based upon differences in boiling point. eg. water from sea water |
Fractional distillation | miscible liquids from one another based upon differences in boiling point. eg. water and ethanol (alcohol) |
Separating funnel |
immiscible liquids from one another based upon differences in miscibility. eg. oil and water. |
Magnetism | solids from one another based upon differences in their ferromagnetic properties. eg. aluminum and iron. |
Paper chromatography | soluble substances from one another based upon differences in retention rates as a solvent moves over paper. |
Decanting | an insoluble solid from a liquid by carefully pouring off the liquid. Based upon differences in density. |