Name: JAHIEM WILSON

Experiment: 3

Date: March 19, 2021

Topic: Mixtures and their Methods of Separation
Title: Filtration and Evaporation
Skill: O/R/R & M/M
Aim To separate a mixture of sand and salt using filtration and evaporation
Apparatus/ Materials: beaker, conical flasks, stirring rod, evaporating dish, spatula, wire
gauze, filter paper, filter funnel, tripod, Bunsen burner, sand and salt mixture, water
Method:

20 cm3 of water was measured. The water was added to the beaker containing the mixture. The
stirring rod was used to dissolve the soluble component fully. The mixture was then filtered.
The solution was poured into an evaporating dish. The Bunsen was placed over. Two/Thirds
(2/3) of the solvent evaporated. The solvent was allowed to cool and crystallize.
Diagram of Apparatus:
 Discussion

Matter can be classified into two major groups: Pure Substances and Mixtures. Mixtures have a
variable composition; their properties are variable since there components retain their own,
individual properties; The component parts of mixtures can be separated by physical means.
Those are general characteristics of mixtures.

Mixtures are composed of two or more substances which are not chemically combined, therefore
their components can be separated by physical means. Some of the physical methods for
separating mixtures are filtration, evaporation, crystallization, distillation, fractional distillation,
and chromatography. In a mixture the component parts are not in a fixed ratio and they retain
their own, individual physical properties.

Mixtures can be Homogeneous or Heterogeneous. A Homogeneous Mixture is one in which the

properties and compositions are uniform throughout the mixture.

The component parts cannot be distinguished from each other. A solution is a homogenous
mixture. Examples of homogeneous mixtures are air, salt dissolved in water and metal alloys
such as brass, a mixture of copper and zinc.

A Heterogeneous Mixture is a non – uniform mixture, for example, a mixture in which the
component parts are in different states. The component parts can be distinguished from each
other, although not always with the naked eye. Suspensions and colloids are heterogeneous
mixtures. Examples of heterogeneous mixtures are salt and sand, mayonnaise and muddy water.

A solution is a homogeneous mixture. The major component of a solution is known as the

solvent and the minor component is known as the solute. Some solutions may contain more than
one solute, e.g., sea water. The solute and solvent can be gasses, liquids or solids. When a gas or
a solid dissolve in a liquid, the liquid is always the solvent, e.g., in a mixture of salt and water,
the salt is the solute and the water a solvent.
A suspension is a heterogeneous mixture containing minute particles which are visible to the
naked eye. If left undisturbed, the particles in a suspension eventually settle. The components of
a suspension can be separated by filtration. Muddy water is an example of a solid suspended in a
liquid.

A colloid is a heterogeneous mixture containing particles that are intermediate in size between
those of a solution and those of a suspension. The particles in a colloid cannot be seen even with
a microscope, and if left undisturbed they do not settle. The properties of a colloid are
intermediate between those of a solution and those of a suspension.

Mixtures are a type of matter where the components can be separated by physical means. The
method by which a mixture can be separated into its component parts is determined by the
physical properties of these parts, e.g., particle size, boiling point, solubility.

Methods used to separate mixtures used in this experiment:

▪ Filtration – A mixture of a solid and a liquid where the solid does not
dissolve in the liquid.
▪ Evaporation and Crystallization – A mixture of solid which is dissolved in
a liquid where the boiling point of the liquid is lower than that of the solid.

In Filtration, the components are separated based on their different particle sizes. In Evaporation
and Crystallization, the methods only allow for collection of the solid. The components are
separated based on their boiling points. In this experiment, the mixture of salt and sand was
separated using the methods filtration, evaporation and crystallization.

Filtration is used to separate a mixture of a solid and a liquid where the solid does not dissolve in
the liquid, i.e., it is used to separate the components of a suspension. Filtration makes use of filter
paper to separate the solid from the liquid. The filter paper works as a sieve, keeping back the
solid particles. The solid particles are too big to pass through the filter paper, whereas the liquid
particles are small enough to pass through. The part of the mixture that stays behind in the filter
paper is called the residue. The part of the mixture that passes through the filter is called the
filtrate.

Evaporation is used to separate a solution of a solid dissolved in a liquid, but it only allows the
solid to be collected. During evaporation, the solution is boiled allowing the liquid to vaporize
into the air. The solute is left behind in the container. Evaporation is a fairly rapid process and
the solid remining lacks crystalline structure.

Crystallization is used to separate a solution of a solid dissolved in a liquid, and it only allows
the solid to be collected. Unlike evaporation, the solution is not boiled; it is left in a container at
room temperature for the liquid to vaporize into the air. Crystallization is a slow process and the
solid remaining has a distinct crystalline structure. This process usually taking a number of days
are even week to complete in forming a crystalline structure.

In separating the sand and salt, the mixture was added into a beaker, then some water; the
purpose of adding water was to dissolve the salt. Once the salt had been dissolved it left a
suspension of salt water and sand, after which the sand was allowed to settle. The suspension
was then filtered using a filter funnel and filter paper. The residue (sand) was collected in the
filter paper and the filtrate of salt and water was collected at the bottom of the conical flask.

The sand and salt mixture were the solute and the solvent, water added created the sand-salt
solution before the salt dissolved creating the suspension to be filtered. Observing the color of
the mixture - before the solvent was added it was of a brown color and after the solvent was
added it had a light brown color. The filtrate had a creamy-clear-white color and the residue had
a dark brown color.

The salt solution filtrate was then poured into an evaporating dish and two-thirds of the water
evaporated. After, the evaporating dish was removed from the Bunsen burner and it was allowed
to cool so that the water left in the evaporating dish could evaporate at room temperature –
allowing the salt crystals to form.

Conclusion:
In conclusion based on results carried out from this experiment a mixture of sand and salt can be
separated using filtration and evaporation. Also, crystallization. Filtration, the components
separated based on their different particle sizes. And in Evaporation and Crystallization, the
methods only allowed for collection of the solid; The components separated based on there
boiling points.