Split It Up!: Separation of a Mixture (Teacher)
Objectives:
To understand and recognize physical properties of matter
To explore mixtures and separation techniques
Text References:
§ Holt Science Spectrum: A Physical Approach by Dobson, Holman, and Roberts pp. 41-42; 53-60
§ Chemistry: The Central Science by Brown, Lemay, and Bursten. pp. 7-9;11-12
Background:
· A physical change is a change in a materials size, shape, or state of matter, but it is still the same material. It changes its physical appearance but not its composition.
· A mixture is a combination of different pure substances that still retains its own chemical identity and its own properties
· Since the components of a mixture retains its identity of the material, a mixture can be separated by taking advantage of the differences in their properties
Materials:
· Iron fillings/Paper Clips / · Fork· Poppy seeds (optional) / · Magnet
· Salt / · Spoon
· Sand / · Strainer
· Water
Student Activity:
· Divide class into 4 groups.
· Set-up 4 stations around the classroom/laboratory with all the aforementioned materials.
· Ask students to brainstorm in their Journals:
o What are some of the physical properties of the components of the mixture?
o How can the differences in physical properties be used to separate the mixture into its three components using the other materials at their station? Draw an accompanying flow diagram (on transparency and in journal).
§ Fork
§ Magnet
§ Spoon
§ Strainer
§ Water
· Each group should share their method of separation
· Discuss Essential Concepts:
o Mixing is a physical change
o Boiling Point, Density, Magnetism, & solubility are physical properties
· Discuss Career Application: Chemical Engineering
· Discuss other methods of separation: Filtration, Distillation, and Chromotography
Sample Flow Diagram:
Split It Up!: Separation of a Mixture (Student)
Objectives:
To understand and recognize physical properties of matter
To explore mixtures and separation techniques
Background:
· A physical change is a change in a material’s size, shape, or state of matter, but it is still the same material. It changes its physical appearance but not its composition.
· A mixture is a combination of different pure substances that still retains its own chemical identity and its own properties
· Since the components of a mixture retains its identity of the material, a mixture can be separated by taking advantage of the differences in the materials’ physical properties
Activity:
· Mix the paperclips, salt, and sand together in the beaker
· Brainstorm in your journals the following: (With your group)
- What are some of the physical properties of the components of the mixture?
- How can the differences in physical properties be used to separate the mixture into its three components using the other materials at your station? Draw an accompanying flow diagram (on transparency and in journal)
· Prepare to share you separation scheme with the class
Text References:
§ Holt Science Spectrum: A Physical Approach by Dobson, Holman, and Roberts pp. 41-42; 53-60
§ Chemistry: The Central Science by Brown, Lemay, and Bursten. pp. 7-9;11-12