Mixture separation! Since mixtures are PHYSICAL combinations of pure substances, they can be separated by PHYSICAL means! Some of the properties used to separate mixtures are: Boiling point Density Particle size Magnetic attraction (ability to be magnetized) Solubility (ability to be dissolved, attraction between solute and solvent or between solute and another substance) Color/shape/etc.
Manual Separation (picking the mixture apart by hand!) Relies on color/size/texture differences YES! NO! (can’t separate a Homogeneous mixture this way!)
Filtration Relies on particle size (smaller particles go THROUGH the filter, larger particles do NOT!) Video Dissolved particles go through filter paper!
Evaporation (to dryness) Relies on boiling point differences (lower boiling point boils first and leaves behind substance with higher boiling point… usually crystals of a compound! Often follows filtration… as shown in the videovideo here!
Centrifugation Relies on differences in density It’s like a merry-go-round for test tubes! The more dense substance is sent to the bottom of the tube - like in this videovideo This is a home-made centrifuge! centrifuge
Decanting Relies on density differences and large differences in particle size Techniques for decanting are shown herehere
Magnetic Separation Separates based on magnetism & non-magnetism (like iron and sand in this video) video Here’s a really cool example of HIGH TECH magnetic separation! magnetic separation
Distillation Like evaporation, relies on differences in boiling point – but BOTH substances are collected! Watch here: And here!
Paper chromatography Separates pigments based on differences in solubility (ability to dissolve) and attraction to the solvent The more attracted pigments are to the solvent, the FARTHER they travel before settling out on the paper! Paper chromatography videoPaper chromatography video (first 4 ½ minutes only!) And another quick exampleexample