Download Separation of a Mixture

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:
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Iron fillings
Poppy seeds
Salt
Sand or Rocks
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

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Fork
Magnet
Spoon
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:
Mixture
Rocks
Salt
Magnet (Magnetism)
Iron Fillings
Rocks, Salt, & Poppy
Strainer (Size)
Rocks
Salt & poppy seeds
Water
Salt, Poppy Seeds, & Water
Spoon
Poppy Seeds
Salt & Water
Evaporation (Boiling Point)
Salt
Water
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 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
Activity:
 Mix the iron fillings, salt, and sand together in the beaker
 Brainstorm in your journals the following: (With your group)
1. What are some of the physical properties of the components of the
mixture?
2. 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. 79;11-12