Separation Techniques

Question 1

What are separation techniques?

Answer 1

A separation process is a method that converts a mixture or solution of chemical substances into two or more distinct product mixtures

Question 2

How can use a magnet to separate mixtures?

Answer 2

Some elements and compounds are magnetic therefore to separate them from a non-magnetic material you can use a magnet.

Question 3

Filtration:

Answer 3

Filtration separates a liquid (or solution) from an insoluble solid.

Large particles can not pass through small holes in filter paper where as smaller ones can separating substances.

The substance that passes through the paper is called the filtrate.
The substance that is left in the paper is called the residue.

The three main types of filtration are biological, mechanical and chemical. The kidneys are an example of biological filtration.

Question 4

Evaporation

Answer 4

Evaporation is the process by which water changes from liquid state to gas or water vapour.

Evaporation is a way to separate a solute from a solution by turning the liquid into a gas.

Question 5

Distillation

Answer 5

Distillation is a process involving the conversion of a liquid into vapour before condensing it again.

Distillation uses boiling and condensing to separate substances with different boiling points.

Can be used to separate water from salt water or inky water.

Question 6

Chromatography

Answer 6

Chromatography is technique used to separate mixtures of liquids that are soluble in the same solvent.

The picture made by chromatography is called a chromatogram.

1. Mixtures are placed on a piece of chromatography paper
2. Chromatography paper is placed in a solvent
3. The solvent dissolves the substances in the mixture
4. Each substance travels up the chromatography paper with the solvent
5. Dissolved substances stop at different places due to solubility.
6. The separated substances are left in a pattern on the paper.