Separation Techniques

C.S.E.C Chemistry (F4)

Mixtures can be separated into their various components using different physical
methods depending on the physical properties of the components of the mixture.

The various techniques are explored below:

Filtration is based on the difference in particle size and solubility of the components.

This technique is used if only the solid is collected

This technique is used if only the solid is to be collected.

No heating, crystallization process is slow, used for crystals with water of crystallizations
e.g. to obtain a sample of hydrated copper (II) suphate.

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If crystals don’t appear in stage © you may need to seed the solution. Seeding is the
addition of a crystal to encourage crystallization.

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Method of Separation Basis of Separation
Filtration Difference in particle size
Sublimation One solid sublimes and the
other does not
Simple Distillation Widely different boiling
points between the solute
and solvent in a solution.
Both components can be
collected but more used if
liquid needs to be collected.
Fractional Distillation Small difference in boiling
points in a mixture of
miscible liquids
Separating Funnel Immiscible liquids (liquids
that don’t mix well
together)
Chromatography Difference rates of
migration of components up
chromatography paper. This
is because each solute has a
difference in solubility in
the same solvent.
Crystallization Solubility and presence of
water of crystallization.
Solvent Extraction Difference in solubility in
Used to separate
Insoluble solid from a liquid
e.g. soil and water
Two solids e.g. ammonium
chloride and sodium
chloride (ammonium
chloride sublimes but
sodium chloride does not)
Solvent from solution e.g.
pure water from muddy
water.
The pure water will be
called the distillate.
Miscible liquids (i.e. liquids
that easily mix together)
e.g. ethanol and water
E.g. oil and water
Colored solutions.
E.g. pigments in ink
E.g. Copper (II) sulphate
from copper(II) sulphate
solution.
Organic substances from
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different solvents that are aqueous solutions.

immiscible with each other e.g. caffeine from tea or
coffee