Separation methods Madame MacDonald

What are some ways you can think of that can allow mixtures to be separated?

Pliers/ Tongs This method is used to take out larger pieces of a substance in a mixture. Example: we can remove small rocks from sand with the use of pliers or tongs.

Magnetism This method allows magnetic substances to be separated via use of a magnet. Example: Tacks can be separated from a group of plastic paper clips.

Flotation Items or substances that are less dense will float in the given liquid. Example: woodchips in water

Sedimentation Substances heavier than the liquid will sink and rest on the bottom of the container. Example: water and sand; the sand is heavier than the water therefore it settles at the bottom of the container floor.

Sieving A substance is divided by size of the matter. Larger objects or matter will remain in the sieve or strainer while smaller objects will go through it. Flour is sieved to eliminate any larger chunks or clumps.

Filtration A method that permits mixtures to separate via a filter that collects larger matter or particles while smaller particular matter runs though the filter. “residue”: what is left on the filter “filtered”: what passes through the filter Example: water with clay in it. After the filter process the clay remains on the filter while the water is collected in a container.

Evaporation Separating solutions, this method allows for the solute to remain while solvent is evaporated. Example: Salt water: the water is boiled and all that is left is the salt.

Distillation This is a method that allows the solvent and solute to be separated (solutions). The focus is that the solvent is evaporated from on container and moved to another via condensation. “residue”: substances that are left in the container : the substance that is obtained by condensation Example: salt water: the water is no longer salty, it becomes distilled.