Taking Mixtures Apart Questions
1. How would you separate a mixture of marbles, corks, and nails?
a. I would separate a mixture of marbles, corks, and nails by using a
magnet to remove the nails. Put the marbles and cork in water.
Remove the floating cork.
2. Would a screen be useful for separating a mixture of gravel and
diatomaceous-earth powder? Explain.
a. A screen would be useful for separating a mixture of gravel and
diatomaceous-earth powder because the particle size of the
powder is small enough to pass through the holes in the screen.
The gravel size is too large to pass through.
3. Would filter paper be useful for separating a sugar and water solution?
Explain.
a. If sugar dissolves, that means it is invisible. The particles are
probably so small they will pass through the holes in the filter
along with the water.
4. Why does salt separated from a separated from a saltwater solution
look different than the salt that dissolved in the water?
a. Salt added to water to make the solution was little lumps and
grains. The salt came out of the solution as cubic crystals. The
natural form of salt is the cubic crystal.
5th Grade
Mixtures and Solutions
Investigation 1