12.4.2

Methods of Separation & Purification

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Methods of Separation and Purification

Separation and purification methods use solvents, filtration, crystallisation, and distillation for pure substances.

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Using a suitable solvent

  • Chemistry uses solvents to dissolve specific substances.
  • A suitable solvent dissolves the desired compound but not impurities.
    • This method helps separate mixtures by selective dissolving.
  • Chemists use this first step before other separation techniques.
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Filtration

  • Filtration separates solid particles from liquids or gases.
    • Chemists pour mixtures through filter paper in a funnel.
    • Solid particles remain on the paper; liquid passes through.
  • This method works well to remove insoluble impurities.
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Crystallisation

  • Crystallisation separates dissolved solids from liquids.
    • Chemists heat the solvent to evaporate it slowly.
    • The dissolved solid forms pure crystals as the solvent evaporates.
  • This method helps purify solids like salts.
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Simple Distillation

  • Simple distillation separates liquids with different boiling points.
    • Chemists heat the mixture to evaporate the liquid with the lower boiling point first.
    • Vapour cools in the condenser and collects as pure liquid.
  • This method purifies solvents and separates substances like water from salt solution.
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Fractional Distillation

  • Fractional distillation separates mixtures of liquids with close boiling points.
    • Chemists use a fractionating column.
    • Vapours repeatedly condense and evaporate along the column.
  • This method separates crude oil into fuels like petrol and diesel.

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Atoms, Elements & Compounds

3Stoichometry

4Electrochemistry

5Chemical Energetics

6Chemical Reactions

7Acids, Bases & Salts

8The Periodic Table

9Metals

10Chemistry of the Environment

11Organic Chemistry

11.1Formulae, Functional Groups & Terminology

11.2Naming Organic Compounds

11.3Fuels

11.4Alkanes

11.5Alkenes

11.6Alcohols

11.7Carboxylic Acids

11.8Polymers

12Experimental Techniques & Chemical Analysis

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