Chemistry 2015-2016
Separation of a Mixture
Name:
Date:
Per:
Objective: Your goal is to separate a mixture of salt, sand, beads, and iron filings into its component
parts. You will then calculate the percent by mass of each component.
Background information: Mixtures are defined as physical combinations of two or more substances
where each substance retains its own chemical identity. For example, in muddy water (a mixture of dirt
and water), both the dirt and the water maintain their chemical identity. Mixtures can be classified as
either homogeneous or heterogeneous. Homogeneous mixtures have the same composition throughout
the mixture. Homogeneous mixtures are often called solutions. Vinegar and household ammonia are
examples of homogeneous mixtures. Heterogeneous mixtures have varying composition throughout the
mixture. Muddy water and rocks are examples of heterogeneous mixtures. Chemists often need to
separate a mixture into its components. They use physical properties to separate a mixture.
Materials
 Mixture containing
sand, salt, iron filings,
beads
 Balance
 Balloon
 Beakers of various
sizes
 Filter paper
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Forceps
Funnel
Hot plate
Magnet
Rubber band
Stirring rod
Straw
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String
Thermometer
Tongs
Water
Weigh paper and/or
weigh boats
Prelab
1. For each substance list properties that might help you to separate it from the others.
a. Salt
b. Sand
c. Beads
d. Iron filings
2. Using the properties you listed above, brainstorm methods you can use to get each substance
away from the others.
a. Salt
b. Sand
c. Beads
d. Iron filings
3. Once you know how you will separate each component, draw a flowchart to show your procedure.
Your flowchart should include words, pictures, and arrows that help guide you through the lab.
Remember that you will need to report the percent by mass for each component, so be sure to
account for this in your procedure.
Data table: Note that depending on your procedure, you MAY need to collect more data than the 5 items
listed here – use the space to the right to collect any additional data.
Total mass of mixture
Mass of sand
Mass of iron filings
Mass of salt
Mass of beads
Chemistry 2015-2016
Separation of a Mixture Analysis
Name:
Date:
Per:
1. Calculate the percent by mass of each component in your mixture. Show your work.
a. Sand
c. Iron Filings
b. Salt
d. Beads
2. Obtain the true percent composition of your mixture from your teacher. For each component in
your mixture, calculate the percent error.
Experimental percent by Actual percent by mass
Percent error
mass
Sand
Salt
Iron filings
Beads
3. Error analysis: account for your errors. What do you think happened to cause your experimental
percent composition to be different from that actual percent composition? Be specific.
4. If you were to do this lab over again, what would you do differently?
5. If you had not been told the make-up of your mixture prior to starting the lab, how would you
have approached separating it?