Separating Mixtures

In this experiment, I will separate substances to understand how mixtures are made and the variance in the physical properties of their ingredients. I had used four different ways to separate different mixtures. The four ways that I had demonstrated were filtration, magnetic separation, distillation, and chromatography. My goal was to have been able to successfully separate each mixture of common items. I had chosen this topic since I always had an interest in chemistry and by the end of my experiments, we would be starting the unit.

I had done these experiments in four different ways. To show filtration I had separated sand from water. I tested this by combining both of them and filtered them through a funnel covered by filter paper going into a cup. The sand had stuck onto the paper whilst the water had gone through into the container. In showing magnetic separation I had used iron filings and sand to demonstrate it. I combined and mixed them both in a plate and had used a magnet to separate the iron filings from the sand. I had repeated it two more times for certainty and all three times removed all the iron without difficulty. With distillation, I had used blue dyed water, in which I had added ¼ of a cup of salt to and a bunsen burner. I then measured the density of the water before and after the experiment to show the removal of salt. After, I put the blue water into the Florence flask and turned the bunsen burner on while the water had started to evaporate. The evaporated water then traveled through the small tube I had connected to the flask and condensed back to clear liquid form in the beaker I had set at the end of the tube surrounded by ice. To demonstrate chromatography I had used strips of paper and colored markers. I had colored a small part of the five different colored strips below half-way of the paper and used a pencil to attach it. I then laid it over a normal cup filled about a quarter to the top with rubbing alcohol and set a timer for exactly 25 minutes.

The data showed that each test successfully removed the substances from each other. I had measured all the data in customary units. For distillation I had measured the density before and after to show the removal of salt from it. Also I had weighed the ingredients before and after for each study to show the amount of separation.

The results of this study achieved my goal. The experiments had taught me that to separate a mixture there are many different ways, and each way is done with different properties. For the tests, mistakes I could have made were stopping the test too quickly, measuring the amounts wrong, or not repeating them enough. To ensure myself from not making those mistakes I had used references from the web, double checked the amounts and set two timers to see the difference. I could improve this experiment by attempting more types of separation like Decanting or Sublimation. Another way I could better the experiments is by trying different items with each of the separations.

Density

Measurements Before After