Name:______Period:______

Separating a Mixture

All Matter can be classified as a pure substance or a mixture. Pure substances have just one set of properties while mixtures have the properties of the substances that make them up. In today’s lab we will determine if an unknown sample is a mixture or pure substance.

Procedure:

  1. While looking at the substance on your watch glass complete the data table below.
  2. After making observations, try to remove one of the components of the mixture with the magnet. Leave the magnet in the plastic bag as you drag it through the substance. The plastic makes it easier remove small pieces that may be attracted to the magnet.
  3. Observe any material that is removed,record observations in the data table, and then discard substance in the trash can.
  4. Transfer the remaining substance to a 50mL beaker.
  5. Add 25mL of water to the substance and stir.
  6. Fold your filter paper as shown and sit it in the funnel in a second beaker.
  7. Filter the mixture through the filter paper.
  8. Observe any material that may be in the filter paper, record observations in the data table, and then discard substance in the trash can.
  9. Heat the beaker containing the filtrate over the Bunsen burner.
  10. Boil until just before the liquid completely evaporates.
  11. Observe any material left in the beaker, record observations in the data table.
  12. After the beaker is cool, clean and put away.

Data:

Observations of Original Substance
Yes / No / Why
Pure Substance
Element
Compound
Mixture
Heterogeneous
Homogeneous
Observations of Component 1
Observations of Component 2
Observations of Component 3

Conclusion:

  1. On a scale of 1 to 10(1 being didn’t separate and 10 being perfectly separated), how successful were you in separating the different components of the substance?
  2. What properties did you observe about component 1 that aided in separation?
  3. What properties did you observe about component 2 that aided in separation?
  4. What properties did you observe about component 3 that aided in separation?
  5. List any properties shared by all 3 components?
  6. Explain how you could separate a mixture of sawdust and table salt, ending with both substances in solid form.

Separating a Mixture

All Matter can be classified as a pure substance or a mixture. Pure substances have just one set of properties while mixtures have the properties of the substances that make them up. In today’s lab we will determine if an unknown sample is a mixture or pure substance.

Procedure:

  1. While looking at the substance on your watch glass complete the data table below.
  2. After making observations, try to remove one of the components of the mixture with the magnet. Leave the magnet in the plastic bag as you drag it through the substance. The plastic makes it easier remove small pieces that may be attracted to the magnet.
  3. Observe any material that is removed, record observations in the data table, and then discard substance in the trash can.
  4. Transfer the remaining substance to a 50mL beaker.
  5. Add 25mL of water to the substance and stir.
  6. Fold your filter paper as shown and sit it in the funnel in a second beaker.
  7. Filter the mixture through the filter paper.
  8. Observe any material that may be in the filter paper, record observations in the data table, and then discard substance in the trash can.
  9. Heat the beaker containing the filtrate over the Bunsen burner.
  10. Boil until just before the liquid completely evaporates.
  11. Observe any material left in the beaker, record observations in the data table.
  12. After the beaker is cool, clean and put away.

Data:

Observations of Original Substance
Yes / No / Why
Pure Substance
Element
Compound
Mixture
Heterogeneous
Homogeneous
Observations of Component 1
Observations of Component 2
Observations of Component 3

Conclusion:

  1. On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being didn’t separate and 10 being perfectly separated), how successful were you in separating the different components of the substance?
  2. What properties did you observe about component 1 that aided in separation?
  3. What properties did you observe about component 2 that aided in separation?
  4. What properties did you observe about component 3 that aided in separation?
  5. List any properties shared by all 3 components?
  6. Explain how you could separate a mixture of sawdust and table salt, ending with both substances in solid form.