Separation Techniques Notes

Why would we want to separate mixtures?

to purify water so that it is safe to drink

to extract a mineral from rocks to be able to use (example, quartz or gold)

to eliminate the pulp in freshly squeezed juice

to make soup broth

What we have to think of when we separate mixtures

We need to look for a ____________________ between the parts of the mixture and then use a
separation method that takes advantage of this difference.
These are some of the properties that can be used:
1) The _______________ of the particles
2) The ________________ of a substance
3) The __________________________ of a substance
4) The ____________________________ of a substance
Ways to Separate Mixtures
1) Sedimentation and decantation AKA : settling and pouring out
When it works:

The ___________________ of the particles of a substance have to be large enough to settle

to the ________________________ of the container.

The ____________________ the size of the particles the __________________ they will settle to
the bottom of the container.

The liquid above the sedimented particles should be quite clear and can be
___________________________________________________

This method only works for _______________________________ mixtures!

When it doesnt work:

As the size of the particles get ________________ , it may take too long for them to settle
to the bottom of the container and the particles may also be easily stirred up if we
try to pour off the liquid above the particles .

Examples of S&D
o noodles or vegetables in a soup settle to the bottom
o muddy water (mud settles to the bottom)
o orange juice that has pulp
o salad dressing made of oil and vinegar
2) Filtration
When it works:

The ______________ of the particles of a substance have to be too _________to pass

through the holes of a filter .

This method only works for ______________________________-mixtures!

Downfall:

Filtration takes ________ and may take longer as the residue accumulates on the filter.

Vocabulary:

Residue: _________________________________________________________________________________

Filtrate: __________________________________________________________________________________

3) Distillation
When it works:

The substance in the mixture with the ______________________________ will evaporate first
and will then condense in another cooled container.

This method is the only one that works for _______________________________________________

When it Doesnt work

-This method cannot be used if 2 substances have the same ____________________________
Vocabulary

Distillate: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Residue: is the substance _____________________________________ in the original container

Examples of Distillation
o

separating salt from saltwater

making distilled water in the lab

commercially distilling alcohol (ethanol used for thermometers)

4) Magnetism
When it works:
-

The substance contains some particles that are attracted to a magnet (contain the
elements ___________, ________________________ or _________________________).