Simple Classification of Substances and Separation of Mixtures: Separation of insoluble solid-liquid mixture

2.0 Simple Classification of Substances and Separation of Mixtures

2.5 Separation of insoluble solid-liquid mixture

How can we separate sand and water?

Materials and substances required

1. Beakers, conical flask, filter paper, funnel
2. The mixture of sand and water

Open the video below, filtration,

(Courtesy Youtube-SEPERATING MIXTURES-FILTRATION by CEEA Erasmus) and carefully observe the demonstration.

Questions 2.5(a)

1. What difference between sand and water (or the black solid used) does this separation rely on?
2. Name the material used in this method to cause separation of the mixture.
3. Why is this material able to cause separation?
4. Suggest a name for this method of separation.
5. What is the use of glass rod?
6. Name any five (5) other substances that flow like water.
7. Name two other binary mixtures which can be separated using this method.
8. Why is this method not suitable for separating a solution of sodium chloride or other salts in water?

Answers to Questions 2.5(a)

Questions 2.5(b)

1. Find out if fresh milk can be separated by filtration.
2. Explain why, although iodine sublimes, sublimation is not a suitable method of separating iodine crystals from water.
3. Identify two alternative methods which you would use to separate iron filings from water.

Answers to Questions 2.5(b)

At home

Muddy water can be boiled and allowed to settle, then filtered using a clean piece of cloth. Blended juice is separated in a similar manner.