2.1.14

Separating Mixtures

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Separation Techniques

We can normally separate mixtures and compounds into the elements or compounds that make them up. We use physical processes to separate them. These processes don't create new chemical substances (there are no chemical reactions). Some separation processes are:

Illustrative background for FiltrationIllustrative background for Filtration ?? "content

Filtration

  • Separates mixtures of insoluble (can't dissolve) solids and liquids.
  • Done by pouring the mixture through filter paper:
    • The insoluble solid is trapped.
    • The liquid runs through the paper and is collected below.
Illustrative background for CrystallisationIllustrative background for Crystallisation ?? "content

Crystallisation

  • Separates solutions into their constituent (different) parts: dissolved solids (solutes) and liquids (solvents).
  • Heat the mixture so that the solvent evaporates.
    • Eventually, crystals of the solute (dissolved solids) will form.
    • We can collect the solvent (liquid) by condensing it as it evaporates.
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Chromatography

  • Separates solutions with a number of different solutes (solids) in the solvent (liquid).
  • Place a drop of the solution to be separated near the bottom of a piece of chromatography paper. Dip the very bottom of the paper into a suitable solvent. The solvent (liquid) moves up the paper and carries the solutes (solids) in the solution with it.
    • Different solutes (solids) move at different speeds, so they separate on the paper.
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Simple distillation

  • Simple distillation separates 2 liquids with different boiling points.
    • The mixture is heated until the liquid with the lower boiling point starts to boil.
    • The vapour released passes through a condenser, where the gas cools back into a liquid.

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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