Lab: Separation of a Mixture
Purpose: The purpose of this experiment is to familiarize you with two ways to separate
a mixture. A mixture of iron, sand and salt will be separated into their individual
components. At the end of the separation, the individual components should add up to
the original mass of the mixture.
Procedure:
1.) Obtain a canister with mixture inside.
2.) Weigh out mixture using the weighing boat. Record mass. Transfer onto a sheet
of white paper.
3.) Remove the iron fillings by using the magnets provided. Please keep the magnets
in the baggie. To remove the iron fillings from the magnet, pull magnet out of
bag over top of a weighing boat. Weigh the remaining mixture and subtract to
find the mass of the iron fillings.
4.) Transfer remaining mixture to a 250mL beaker.
5.) Add 25mL of water to the mixture. Stir with a stirring rod until all salt has
dissolved.
6.) Obtain and weigh a piece of filter paper. Write your name/initials on the outside
of the filter paper. This should be done in pencil. Record mass of empty filter
paper.
7.) Fold paper to prepare for a filtration. Use a 250mL beaker for filtration. MAKE
SURE YOU WEIGH THIS FIRST!
8.) Transfer solution into filter. If any mixture remains in the beaker, add some more
water, swirl and filter.
9.) Leave filter paper in second lab drawer to dry overnight. You can lay the filter
paper out on top of a weighing boat. Be sure to spread it out so that it can dry
completely.
10.)
Take the beaker with the filtrate in it and heat until all of the water
evaporates.
11.)
Let cool. Weigh and record the mass of the beaker and salt.
12.)
Clean up lab station.
Data Table:
Mass of mixture
Mass of mixture after step 3.
Mass of iron fillings
Mass of empty filter paper
Mass of filter paper and sand***
Mass of sand ***
Mass of empty 250mL beaker
Mass of beaker and salt
Mass of salt
*** will calculate tomorrow
Questions:
1.) Calculate the % composition of the iron, sand and salt. Show all work.
% iron = ______
% sand = ____
% salt = ______
Total %______________
2.) Explain why the total percentages might add up to more than 100% assuming the
balance was working properly at all times.
3.) Explain why the total percentages might add up to less than 100% assuming the
balance was working properly at all times.
4.) Identify one heterogeneous mixture that occurred during the separation.
5.) Identify one homogeneous mixture that occurred during the separation.
Conclusion: