Mixtures and separating
By the end of this chapter you will be able to
- Say what a mixture is, and what a pure substance is
- Name the solvent, solute and solution in a salt solution
- Choose a method to separate a mixture, and explain why it works
- Describe distillation and why it gives pure water
- Use Rf = distance moved by the spot / distance moved by the solvent front
You should already know
- Compounds and elements, and the difference between them (Chapter 7 of this book)
- Solids dissolving in water, from primary school science
Where this leads
- Chemical reactions, which make new substances (Chapter 9)
National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 3 science, Year 7. Content: C6 mixtures of elements and/or compounds are not chemically bonded, and each substance keeps its own properties, C6 pure and impure substances; separating mixtures by filtration, evaporation, distillation, chromatography and magnetism.
Exercise P Do you remember?
Method. Recall the word.
- Recall. A substance that dissolves is soluble.soluble
- Write the answer. soluble
Check. Sugar is soluble in water. ✓
Method. Recall the method.
- Recall. Filtration uses filter paper to trap a solid.filtration
- Write the answer. filtration
Check. The liquid passes through the paper. ✓
Method. Recall the definition.
- Recall. A compound is made of two or more elements chemically bonded.chemically bonded
- Write the answer. two or more elements chemically bonded
Check. Compounds have a fixed ratio. ✓
Method. Divide.
- Divide. Eight shared into four equal parts gives two each.8 / 4 = 2
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Check: 2 x 4 = 8. ✓
Method. Recall the magnetic metal.
- Recall. Iron is magnetic, so a magnet attracts it.iron
- Write the answer. iron
Check. Aluminium and copper are not magnetic. ✓
Mixtures and pure substances
A mixture is two or more substances that are not chemically bonded together. Each substance keeps its own properties, and the amounts can vary.
A pure substance contains only one substance. In chemistry, pure means only one substance, with nothing else mixed in. Pure water melts at 0 degrees Celsius and boils at 100 degrees Celsius; an impure sample does not have these exact temperatures.
When a solid dissolves in a liquid, the liquid is the solvent, the solid is the solute, and the mixture is a solution.
The table gives the meanings of the three words.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| solvent | the liquid that dissolves the solute, such as water |
| solute | the substance that dissolves, such as salt |
| solution | the mixture formed when a solute dissolves in a solvent |
Key ideas
- A mixture is not chemically bonded, and each substance keeps its properties.
- A pure substance contains only one substance.
- In salt water, the solvent is water, the solute is salt, and the solution is salt water.
- A compound is not a mixture, because its elements are bonded.
Method. Use the definition.
- Read the definition. The solvent is the liquid that dissolves the solute.liquid
- Decide. In salt water the liquid is water, so the solvent is water.water
- Write the answer. water
Check. Salt is the solute. ✓
Method. Check the bonding.
- Check the bonds. The sugar is not chemically bonded to the water.not bonded
- Decide. So the sugar and water form a mixture.mixture
- Write the answer. mixture
Check. A compound has bonded elements. ✓
Method. Use the definition.
- Check. Pure water contains only water, with nothing else mixed in.only water
- Decide. So pure water is a pure substance, and the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. It has only one substance. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: a mixture is not a compound. The substances in a mixture are not chemically bonded, and their amounts can vary.
Exam tip
Exam tip. In a question about a mixture, name the solvent and the solute if a solid dissolves in a liquid.
Try it (with your teacher, or a grown-up at home). With a grown-up, stir a spoonful of sugar into a glass of water. Taste nothing. Look at it, and say whether it is a mixture or a compound, and why. Then say which is the solvent and which is the solute.
Exercise 8A Mixtures and pure substances
Method. Recall the definition.
- Recall. A mixture is two or more substances that are not chemically bonded.not chemically bonded
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says two or more substances that are not chemically bonded together.
Check. Each substance keeps its own properties. ✓
Method. Use the definition.
- Use the definition. The solute is the substance that dissolves.dissolves
- Decide. The salt dissolves in the water, so the solute is salt.salt
- Write the answer. salt
Check. The water is the solvent. ✓
Method. Recall the word.
- Recall. The mixture formed when a solute dissolves is a solution.solution
- Write the answer. solution
Check. Salt water is a solution. ✓
Method. Check the bonding.
- Check. The salt and water are not chemically bonded.not bonded
- Decide. So salt water is a mixture, and the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Each keeps its own properties. ✓
Method. Use the definition.
- Use the definition. A pure substance contains only one substance.only one
- Decide. Pure water is only water, so the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Impure water contains other substances. ✓
Method. Use the definition.
- Use the definition. Salt water contains two substances, water and salt.two substances
- Decide. So salt water is not a pure substance, and the answer is no.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Two substances make a mixture. ✓
Method. Use the definition.
- Use the definition. The solvent is the liquid that dissolves the solute.liquid
- Decide. So the solvent is water.water
- Write the answer. water
Check. Sugar is the solute. ✓
Method. Compare with a compound.
- Compare. A compound has a fixed ratio, but a mixture can have any amounts.any amounts
- Decide. So a mixture does not have a fixed ratio, and the answer is no.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Mixtures can have different amounts. ✓
Method. Think about impurities.
- Think. An impure sample has other substances mixed in, which changes its melting point.changes
- Decide. So the melting point changes, and the word is change.change
- Write the answer. change
Check. A pure substance has fixed temperatures. ✓
Method. Check the bonding.
- Check. Dissolving does not bond the sugar to the water.does not bond
- Decide. So sugar water is a mixture, and Ben is not right.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Dissolving is not a chemical bond. ✓
Method. Think about the test for pure.
- Think. Being clear does not make a substance pure; it still contains two substances.two substances
- Decide. So the pupil is not right.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Pure means only one substance. ✓
Method. Think about the bonding.
- Think about the bonds. The sand and water are not chemically bonded.not bonded
- Think about the properties. So each substance keeps its own properties.own properties
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says the sand and water are not chemically bonded, so each keeps its own properties.
Check. Mixtures keep their parts separate. ✓
Method. Think about the solute.
- Think about the solute. The dissolved salt is an extra substance in the water.extra substance
- Think about the result. So the mixture does not boil at exactly 100 degrees Celsius.not exactly 100
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says the dissolved salt changes the boiling point, because salt water is not pure water.
Check. Pure substances have fixed temperatures. ✓
Filtration and evaporation
Filtration separates an insoluble solid from a liquid. The mixture is poured through filter paper in a funnel. The solid that is left on the paper is the residue. The liquid that passes through is the filtrate.
Evaporation separates a soluble solid from its solution. The solution is heated gently, the solvent evaporates, and the solid is left behind as crystals. Pupils do not heat solutions; this is done by a teacher.
Key ideas
- Filtration separates an insoluble solid from a liquid.
- The residue stays on the filter paper; the filtrate passes through.
- Evaporation separates a dissolved solid from its solvent.
- Evaporation loses the solvent, so it is not used if the liquid is needed.
Method. Check whether the solid dissolves.
- Check. Sand does not dissolve in water; it is insoluble.insoluble
- Decide. So filtration is the method.filtration
- Write the answer. filtration
Check. The sand is caught on the filter paper. ✓
Method. Recall the name.
- Recall. The liquid that passes through the filter paper is the filtrate.filtrate
- Check the other name. The solid left on the paper is the residue, so the liquid is not the residue.not the residue
- Write the answer. filtrate
Check. The solid left on the paper is the residue. ✓
Method. Check the method.
- Check the solid. Salt is soluble, so filtration cannot catch it.soluble
- Decide. Evaporation leaves the dissolved salt as crystals.evaporation
- Write the answer. evaporation
Check. The water is lost as vapour. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: filtration does not separate a dissolved solid. The salt passes through the filter paper with the water.
Exam tip
Exam tip. For a separation question, first ask: is the solid soluble or insoluble? That decides between filtration and evaporation.
Try it (with your teacher, or a grown-up at home). With a grown-up, pour a little sand and water through a coffee filter in a funnel over a jug. Look at the residue and the filtrate. Say which is the residue and which is the filtrate. Do not heat the filtrate.
Exercise 8B Filtration and evaporation
Method. Recall the name.
- Recall. The solid left on the filter paper is the residue.residue
- Write the answer. residue
Check. The residue is insoluble. ✓
Method. Recall the name.
- Recall. The liquid that passes through is the filtrate.filtrate
- Write the answer. filtrate
Check. The filtrate is the liquid that gets through. ✓
Method. Recall the method.
- Recall. Filtration separates an insoluble solid from a liquid.filtration
- Write the answer. filtration
Check. Sand from water is an example. ✓
Method. Recall the method.
- Recall. Evaporation leaves a dissolved solid behind as crystals.evaporation
- Write the answer. evaporation
Check. The solvent is lost as vapour. ✓
Method. Recall the fact.
- Recall. Salt dissolves in water, so it is soluble.soluble
- Decide. So the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Soluble substances dissolve. ✓
Method. Recall the fact.
- Recall. Sand does not dissolve in water, so it is insoluble.insoluble
- Decide. So the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Insoluble solids stay as solid particles. ✓
Method. Check the solubility.
- Check. Salt dissolves, so it passes through the filter paper with the water.passes through
- Decide. So filtration cannot separate salt from water.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Use evaporation for a dissolved solid. ✓
Method. Think about what is kept.
- Think. Filtration keeps the liquid as the filtrate, but evaporation loses the water as vapour.keeps the liquid
- Decide. So filtration keeps the water.filtration
- Write the answer. filtration
Check. Evaporation loses the solvent. ✓
Method. Recall the names.
- Recall. The solid left on the paper is the residue.residue
- Decide. So the sand is the residue.residue
- Write the answer. residue
Check. The salt water passes through as filtrate. ✓
Method. Think about a solution.
- Think. A solution has a dissolved solute, which passes through the filter paper.passes through
- Decide. So filtration cannot separate a solution, and the answer is no.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Filtration is for insoluble solids. ✓
Method. Think about the solvent.
- Think about the solvent. The water turns into vapour and escapes.vapour
- Think about the solute. The dissolved salt is left behind as solid crystals.left behind
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says the water evaporates, leaving the dissolved salt behind as solid crystals.
Check. The solute is what remains. ✓
Method. Think about the fair test.
- Think about the variable. Only the method should change.only the method
- Think about the result. So any difference is caused by the method, not the mixture.caused by
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says using the same mixture keeps the test fair, so only the method changes the result.
Check. Keep the sample fixed in a fair test. ✓
Distillation
Distillation separates a solvent from a solution. The solution is heated, so the solvent evaporates. The vapour passes into a condenser, which is cooled, and it turns back into a liquid. This liquid is collected as the distillate.
In distillation of salt water, the distillate is pure water, and the salt is left in the flask.
Key ideas
- Distillation separates a solvent from a solution.
- The solvent evaporates, then condenses in a cooled tube.
- The liquid collected is the distillate.
- The solute stays behind in the flask.
Method. Recall the name.
- Recall. The liquid collected after condensing is the distillate.distillate
- Decide. In salt water the distillate is pure water.pure water
- Write the answer. pure water
Check. The salt stays in the flask. ✓
Method. Recall the apparatus.
- Recall. The cooled tube that turns vapour back into liquid is the condenser.condenser
- Decide. So the part is the condenser.condenser
- Write the answer. condenser
Check. The condenser makes the vapour condense. ✓
Method. Think about what is kept.
- Think. Evaporation loses the water to the air, but distillation collects it.collects it
- Decide. So distillation keeps the pure water.pure water
- Write the answer. Distillation collects the water, so it is kept.
Check. The water is kept and the salt is left. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: in distillation, the solvent is collected, not the solute. The solid stays behind in the flask.
Exam tip
Exam tip. In a distillation question, name the distillate (the liquid collected) and the residue (what is left in the flask).
Try it (with your teacher, or a grown-up at home). Distillation needs heating and a condenser, so it is done by a teacher. Watch the demonstration, then say what is collected and what stays in the flask. Do not attempt it yourself.
Exercise 8C Distillation
Method. Recall the name.
- Recall. The liquid collected in distillation is the distillate.distillate
- Write the answer. distillate
Check. The distillate is the solvent. ✓
Method. Recall the apparatus.
- Recall. The condenser cools the vapour so it turns back into liquid.condenser
- Write the answer. condenser
Check. The vapour condenses in the condenser. ✓
Method. Think about the solute.
- Think. The salt is not evaporated, so it stays in the flask.stays in the flask
- Decide. So the salt is left in the flask.salt
- Write the answer. salt
Check. The water is collected as the distillate. ✓
Method. Use the method.
- Use the method. The solvent is evaporated and condensed, so the water is collected.water is collected
- Decide. So the distillate is pure water.pure water
- Write the answer. pure water
Check. Pure water is the solvent. ✓
Method. Recall the apparatus.
- Recall. The solution is heated in the flask.flask
- Write the answer. flask
Check. The flask holds the salt water. ✓
Method. Recall the process.
- Recall. The solution is heated, so the solvent evaporates.evaporates
- Decide. So the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. The vapour is then cooled and collected. ✓
Method. Recall the process.
- Recall. Salt does not evaporate with the water, so it stays in the flask.stays in the flask
- Decide. So the answer is no.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Only the solvent is collected. ✓
Method. Use the method.
- Use the method. The solvent is evaporated and condensed into the distillate.condensed
- Decide. So the solvent is collected.solvent
- Write the answer. solvent
Check. The solute stays behind. ✓
Method. Think about what is kept.
- Think. Evaporation loses the water to the air, so the pure water is not collected.not collected
- Decide. So the pupil is not right; distillation keeps the pure water.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Distillation collects the solvent. ✓
Method. Think about the water.
- Think. The water is either collected, or left in the flask, so the rest is left.left in the flask
- Calculate. 100 minus 60 is 40.100 - 60 = 40
- Write the answer. 40 cm³
Check. 60 + 40 = 100. ✓
Method. Think about safety and the method.
- Think. The condenser must be cooled and the apparatus must be secure.cooled
- Name one. For example, check the cooling water is running.cooling water
- Write the answer. Accept any one: the cooling water is running, the apparatus is secure, or the flask is not overfilled.
Check. Safety checks come first. ✓
Method. Think about the substances.
- Think about evaporation. Only the water turns into vapour.only the water
- Think about the salt. The salt does not evaporate, so it stays in the flask.stays
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says only the water evaporates and then condenses, so the salt is left behind and the water is pure.
Check. The solvent is separated from the solute. ✓
Method. Think about the vapour.
- Think about the vapour. The vapour is hot and must be cooled.cooled
- Think about the liquid. The cooling makes it condense into liquid that can be collected.condense
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says the condenser cools the vapour so it turns back into liquid, which can then be collected.
Check. Condensing needs cooling. ✓
Chromatography
Chromatography separates the substances in a mixture, such as dyes in ink. A small spot of the ink is placed on a line in pencil, called the baseline. The bottom of the paper is put in a solvent, such as water, and the solvent moves up the paper.
Each dye moves up the paper at a different rate, so the dyes separate into different spots. The Rf value compares how far a spot has moved with how far the solvent has moved:
Rf = distance moved by the spot / distance moved by the solvent front
The table gives the distance moved by each dye spot, and the Rf value of each.
| Dye spot | Distance moved (cm) | Solvent front (cm) | Rf |
|---|---|---|---|
| dye A | 2 | 8 | 0.25 |
| dye B | 6 | 8 | 0.75 |
| dye C | 4 | 8 | 0.50 |
Key ideas
- Chromatography separates the dyes in a mixture by how far each moves.
- Rf = distance moved by the spot / distance moved by the solvent front.
- The Rf value is always between 0 and 1.
- A larger Rf means the dye moved further up the paper.
Method. Use Rf = distance moved by the spot / distance moved by the solvent front.
- Write the values. The spot moved 2 cm and the solvent front moved 8 cm.2 and 8
- Divide. Rf = 2 / 8.2 / 8 = 0.25
- Write the answer. 0.25
Check. 0.25 x 8 = 2. ✓
Method. Compare the Rf values.
- Read the table. The Rf values are 0.25 for dye A, 0.75 for dye B, and 0.5 for dye C.0.25, 0.75, 0.5
- Decide. The largest is 0.75, for dye B.dye B
- Write the answer. dye B
Check. Dye B moved furthest. ✓
Method. Use the Rf formula.
- Write the values. The spot moved 3 cm and the solvent moved 8 cm.3 and 8
- Divide. Rf = 3 / 8 = 0.375.3 / 8 = 0.375
- Write the answer. 0.375
Check. 0.375 x 8 = 3. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: measure the distance from the baseline, not from the bottom of the paper. The baseline is the pencil line where the spot was placed.
Exam tip
Exam tip. Use pencil for the baseline, never ink, because ink would move up the paper and mix with the dyes.
Try it (with your teacher, or a grown-up at home). With a grown-up, use a washable felt-tip pen to make a dot on a pencil line at the bottom of a strip of paper towel. Stand the strip in a little water, with the dot above the water. Watch the colours separate, and note which dye moves furthest.
Exercise 8D Chromatography
Method. Recall the name.
- Recall. The pencil line where the spot is placed is the baseline.baseline
- Write the answer. baseline
Check. Pencil is used so the line does not run. ✓
Method. Recall the solvent.
- Recall. Water is the solvent that moves up the paper.water
- Write the answer. water
Check. The solvent moves the dyes up the paper. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. Dye B moved 6 cm, the furthest of the three.6 cm
- Write the answer. dye B
Check. Dye B has the largest Rf value. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. Dye A has an Rf value of 0.25.0.25
- Write the answer. 0.25
Check. 2 divided by 8 is 0.25. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. Dye C has an Rf value of 0.5.0.5
- Write the answer. 0.5
Check. 4 divided by 8 is 0.5. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. The solvent front moves 8 cm.8
- Write the answer. 8
Check. The solvent front is the top of the wet paper. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the table. Dye A moved 2 cm, the smallest distance.2 cm
- Write the answer. dye A
Check. Dye A has the smallest Rf value. ✓
Method. Divide the spot distance by the solvent distance.
- Divide. Rf = 4 / 8.4 / 8 = 0.5
- Write the answer. 0.5
Check. 0.5 x 8 = 4. ✓
Method. Divide the spot distance by the solvent distance.
- Divide. Rf = 6 / 8.6 / 8 = 0.75
- Write the answer. 0.75
Check. 0.75 x 8 = 6. ✓
Method. Divide the spot distance by the solvent distance.
- Divide. Rf = 1 / 8.1 / 8 = 0.125
- Write the answer. 0.125
Check. 0.125 x 8 = 1. ✓
Method. Compare the two values.
- Compare. Dye A has 0.25 and dye C has 0.5.0.25 and 0.5
- Decide. Dye C has the higher value.dye C
- Write the answer. dye C
Check. Dye C moved further than dye A. ✓
Method. Use the formula.
- Use the formula. Rf = 6 / 8 = 0.75, not 6.6 / 8 = 0.75
- Decide. So Ben is not right.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Rf is always less than 1. ✓
Method. Think about the ink.
- Think about the ink. Ink dissolves in the solvent and would move up the paper.move up
- Think about the result. So the spots would be mixed up, and the results would not be reliable.not reliable
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says the ink would run up the paper and mix with the dyes, so the spots would be wrong.
Check. Pencil is used because it does not dissolve. ✓
Method. Think about the dyes.
- Think about the dyes. Each dye dissolves and moves up at its own rate.own rate
- Think about the result. So the dyes separate into different spots.separate
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says each dye moves up the paper at a different rate, because it is more or less attracted to the paper and dissolves differently.
Check. Different rates give different spots. ✓
Method. Divide the spot distance by the solvent distance.
- Divide. Rf = 3 / 6.3 / 6 = 0.5
- Check. Half of 6 is 3, so the Rf value is a half.0.5
- Write the answer. 0.5
Check. 0.5 x 6 = 3. ✓
Magnetic separation and choosing a method
Magnetic separation uses a magnet to pull out a magnetic substance from a mixture. Iron and steel are magnetic; sand and most other materials are not.
To choose a method, look for a property that is different between the substances: whether the solid is soluble, whether it is magnetic, the boiling points, or the way the substances move on paper.
The table matches each mixture with the method that separates it, and the reason it works.
| Mixture | Method | Reason it works |
|---|---|---|
| sand in water | filtration | the sand is an insoluble solid, and the water passes through the filter paper |
| salt dissolved in water | evaporation | the water evaporates and the salt is left behind as a solid |
| pure water from salt water | distillation | the water evaporates, then condenses in a separate tube |
| iron filings and sand | magnetic separation | iron is magnetic, so a magnet pulls it out |
| the dyes in a black felt-tip ink | chromatography | the dyes move up the paper at different rates |
Key ideas
- Magnetic separation removes a magnetic substance from a mixture.
- Choose a method by finding a property that is different between the substances.
- Filtration: insoluble solid and liquid. Evaporation: a dissolved solid.
- Distillation: a solvent from a solution. Chromatography: dyes in a mixture.
Method. Find the property that is different.
- Find the property. Iron is magnetic, but sand is not.magnetic
- Decide. So the method is magnetic separation.magnetic separation
- Write the answer. magnetic separation
Check. A magnet pulls the iron out. ✓
Method. Find the property that is different.
- Find the property. The dyes move up the paper at different rates.different rates
- Decide. So the method is chromatography.chromatography
- Write the answer. chromatography
Check. The dyes separate into spots. ✓
Method. Check the solid.
- Check the solid. Sand is insoluble, so it stays as a solid in the water.insoluble
- Decide. So filtration is the best method.filtration
- Write the answer. filtration
Check. Filtration catches the sand. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: a magnet only separates magnetic substances. Sand and water cannot be separated from each other by a magnet.
Exam tip
Exam tip. In a question about choosing a method, name the property that is different, then give the method that uses it.
Try it (with your teacher, or a grown-up at home). With a grown-up, mix a little iron filings into a dish of sand. Use a magnet to pull the iron out, wrapped in a plastic bag so the filings do not stick to your fingers. Say which property of the iron made this possible.
Exercise 8E Magnetic separation and choosing a method
Method. Recall the property.
- Recall. Iron is magnetic, so a magnet attracts it.iron
- Write the answer. iron
Check. Sand is not magnetic. ✓
Method. Recall the method.
- Recall. Magnetic separation uses a magnet to remove a magnetic substance.magnetic separation
- Write the answer. magnetic separation
Check. It needs a magnetic substance. ✓
Method. Recall the property.
- Recall. Sand is not magnetic, so a magnet does not attract it.not magnetic
- Decide. So the answer is no.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Only some metals are magnetic. ✓
Method. Recall the method.
- Recall. Evaporation leaves the dissolved solid as crystals.evaporation
- Write the answer. evaporation
Check. The solvent is lost as vapour. ✓
Method. Recall the method.
- Recall. Filtration separates an insoluble solid from a liquid.filtration
- Write the answer. filtration
Check. Sand and water is an example. ✓
Method. Recall the method.
- Recall. Distillation collects the solvent after evaporating and condensing it.distillation
- Write the answer. distillation
Check. Pure water is collected from salt water. ✓
Method. Recall the method.
- Recall. Chromatography separates the dyes by how far each moves.chromatography
- Write the answer. chromatography
Check. The dyes move at different rates. ✓
Method. Find the magnetic substance.
- Find it. Only iron is magnetic in this mixture.iron
- Decide. So the magnet removes the iron first.iron
- Write the answer. iron
Check. Salt and sand are not magnetic. ✓
Method. Check the solids.
- Check. Sand is insoluble, while salt dissolves in water.insoluble
- Decide. So filtration separates the sand, which is insoluble.filtration
- Write the answer. filtration
Check. Salt is then left in the water. ✓
Method. Check the property.
- Check. Salt and water are not magnetic.not magnetic
- Decide. So a magnet cannot separate them, and Ali is not right.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Use evaporation for salt and water. ✓
Method. Think about what each method keeps.
- Think. Distillation collects the water, and evaporation leaves the salt.collects
- Name one. Either method can be chosen, depending on which substance is kept.depending
- Write the answer. Accept any one: distillation (keeps the water), or evaporation (keeps the salt).
Check. Each method keeps one of the two substances. ✓
Method. Think about the property.
- Think about magnetism. Magnetism is only found in some substances.some substances
- Think about salt. Salt is not magnetic, so a magnet cannot separate it from water.cannot
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says magnetism is only a property of some substances, so it separates only magnetic substances, not salt.
Check. Choose a property that is different. ✓
Method. Think about the order.
- Think about the sand. Filter off the insoluble sand first.filter
- Think about the salt. Then evaporate or distil the salt water to get the salt.evaporate
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says filter off the sand, then evaporate the water, or distil it, to keep the salt.
Check. Remove insoluble solids before dissolved ones. ✓
Chapter summary
| Skill | Method |
|---|---|
| Mixture | Not chemically bonded; each substance keeps its own properties. |
| Filtration | Separates an insoluble solid from a liquid. Residue on the paper; filtrate through. |
| Evaporation | Separates a dissolved solid from its solvent, leaving crystals. |
| Distillation | Separates a solvent from a solution: evaporate, then condense. The distillate is collected. |
| Chromatography | Separates dyes by how far each moves. Rf = spot distance / solvent front distance. |
| Magnetic separation | Removes a magnetic substance, such as iron, with a magnet. |
Can you…?
- I can say what a mixture is, and what a pure substance is
- I can name the solvent, solute and solution in a solution
- I can choose filtration, evaporation, distillation, chromatography or magnetic separation for a mixture
- I can explain how distillation gives pure water
- I can calculate an Rf value from the distance moved by the spot and the solvent front
Key terms
- mixture
- two or more substances that are not chemically bonded
- pure substance
- a substance that contains only one substance
- solvent
- the liquid that dissolves a solute
- solute
- the substance that dissolves in a solvent
- solution
- the mixture formed when a solute dissolves in a solvent
- soluble
- able to dissolve
- insoluble
- not able to dissolve
- residue
- the solid left on the filter paper
- filtrate
- the liquid that passes through the filter paper
- distillate
- the liquid collected after distillation
- condenser
- a cooled tube where vapour turns back into liquid
- chromatography
- a method that separates substances by how far each moves on paper
- Rf value
- distance moved by a spot divided by distance moved by the solvent front
Exercise 8Z Check-up
Method. Recall the definition.
- Recall. A mixture is two or more substances not chemically bonded.not chemically bonded
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says two or more substances not chemically bonded together.
Check. Each substance keeps its properties. ✓
Method. Recall the method.
- Recall. Filtration separates an insoluble solid from a liquid.filtration
- Write the answer. filtration
Check. The sand stays on the filter paper. ✓
Method. Recall the method.
- Recall. Evaporation leaves the dissolved salt as crystals.evaporation
- Write the answer. evaporation
Check. The water is lost as vapour. ✓
Method. Recall the method.
- Recall. Distillation collects pure water from salt water.distillation
- Write the answer. distillation
Check. The salt stays in the flask. ✓
Method. Recall the apparatus.
- Recall. The condenser cools the vapour back into liquid.condenser
- Write the answer. condenser
Check. The condenser cools the vapour. ✓
Method. Divide the spot distance by the solvent distance.
- Divide. Rf = 2 / 8.2 / 8 = 0.25
- Write the answer. 0.25
Check. 0.25 x 8 = 2. ✓
Method. Compare the values.
- Compare. The largest value is 0.75, for dye B.0.75
- Write the answer. dye B
Check. Dye B moved furthest. ✓
Method. Recall the method.
- Recall. Iron is magnetic, so a magnet pulls it out.magnetic
- Write the answer. magnetic separation
Check. Sand is not magnetic. ✓
Method. Check the bonding.
- Check. A compound has chemically bonded elements, and a mixture does not.bonded
- Decide. So a compound is not a mixture, and the answer is no.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Bonding is the difference. ✓
Method. Use the definition.
- Use the definition. The solute is the substance that dissolves.dissolves
- Decide. So the solute is sugar.sugar
- Write the answer. sugar
Check. Water is the solvent. ✓
Method. Think about the dyes.
- Think about the rate. Each dye moves up the paper at its own rate.own rate
- Think about the spots. So the dyes separate into different spots.separate
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says each dye moves up the paper at a different rate, so the dyes separate into spots.
Check. Different rates give different spots. ✓
Total 17 marks. Allow about 17 minutes.
Exercise 8X Practice test questions
Method. Recall the method.
- Recall. Evaporation leaves a dissolved solid behind.evaporation
- Write the answer. evaporation
Check. Filtration does not catch a dissolved solid. ✓
Method. Divide the spot distance by the solvent distance.
- Divide. Rf = 6 / 8.6 / 8 = 0.75
- Write the answer. 0.75
Check. 0.75 x 8 = 6. ✓
Method. Recall the names.
- Recall. The residue is the sand left on the filter paper.residue
- Name the filtrate. The filtrate is the water that passes through.filtrate
- Write the answer. sand and water
Check. The residue is the solid, and the filtrate is the liquid. ✓
Method. Find the property that is different.
- Find it. Iron is magnetic and sand is not.magnetic
- Write the answer. magnetic separation
Check. A magnet pulls out the iron. ✓
Method. Think about the substances.
- Think about the water. The water evaporates and then condenses in the condenser.condenses
- Think about the salt. The salt does not evaporate, so it stays in the flask.stays
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says only the water evaporates and then condenses, leaving the salt behind.
Check. The solvent is separated from the solute. ✓
Method. Divide the spot distance by the solvent distance.
- Divide. Rf = 4 / 8 = 0.5.4 / 8 = 0.5
- Write the answer. 0.5
Check. 0.5 x 8 = 4. ✓
Method. Check the bonding.
- Check. Sugar and water are not chemically bonded, so the mixture is not a compound.not bonded
- Write the answer. no
Check. It is a solution, which is a mixture. ✓
Method. Recall the method and the name.
- Recall the method. Distillation separates a solvent from a solution.distillation
- Recall the name. The liquid collected is the distillate.distillate
- Write the answer. distillation; distillate
Check. Distillate is the solvent collected. ✓
Method. Think about the rates.
- Think. If the dyes had the same speed, they would not separate into different spots.not separate
- Decide. So the pupil is not right, because the dyes move at different rates.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Different rates separate the dyes. ✓
Method. Recall the name.
- Recall. The solid left on the paper is the residue.residue
- Write the answer. residue
Check. The filtrate passes through. ✓
Method. Think about the solubility.
- Think about the salt. Salt is soluble, so it dissolves in the water.soluble
- Think about the filter. Dissolved salt passes through the filter paper with the water.passes through
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says the salt is dissolved, so it passes through the filter paper with the water.
Check. Filtration needs an insoluble solid. ✓