Separation Of a Mixture

Processing and evaluating: Criterion C

i) Correctly “collect”, “Organize”, “Transform”, and “Present ”Data
iv) Evaluate validity of method

v) Suggest extension of methods

- Variables remain the same but a different approach

Equipment:
- Bunsen Burner
- Petri Dish
- Sand
- Iron Filling
- Salt (11.41g)
- Filter paper
- Conical Flask
- China Dish
- Stirrer
- Magnet
- Water
- Beaker
- Funnel
- Scale
- Wire Gauze
- Tripped Stand

Objective:
To figure out how sand, salt, and iron filling can be separated after being mixed together and
getting the salt back.

Method:
1. Put the salt in the petri dish and measure it.
2. First mix the sand, salt and iron flask together in a petri dish
3. Second, take a magnet and dip it gently in the petri dish, all the iron filling will stick to the
magnet because it is magnetic
4. After separating the iron filling, put the leftover sand and salt in a beaker and add water
in it and mix with a stirrer until the sand and salt are dissolved.
5. Next take the filter paper, fold it to make a cone and put it in the funnel and put the
funnel in the conical flask. Pour water in the funnel little by little and watch the salt water
fall in the conical flask leaving the funnel with filter paper with only the sand.
6. Now turn on the bunsen burner and keep a china dish on it. Pour the salt water in the
china dish and wait for the water to evaporate and you will only be left with salt.
i) Correctly collect, organize, transform, and present data

- Iron filling was seperated with the help of magnets

- Sand was seperated with the help of filter paper which filtered out the salt water
- Salt was seperated with the help of heat as the water had evaporated leaving us with
just sand

Substances Dissolves in Magnetic? Was it How much were

Water? seperated? you left with?

Iron filling Not tried yes yes Not measured

Salt yes no yes 4.6 g

Sand yes no yes Not measured

Transform: all the amounts were measured in grams.

- We should have been careful while mixing the materials because we did lose a lot of the
materials while doing the experiment which could affect the results.
- We used tap water and tap water already has salt in it which would increase the number
of salt we had in our salt+sand mixture.
- We also should have done the experiment more than once to make sure that the results
are valid.
- Lastly, we should have measured the amount of time that we waited for the water to
evaporate.