Lab Title :Separation of a mixture
Name:__________________________
Name of lab Partner:_______________________________
PURPOSE OF LAB: To separate a mixture of sand, sodium chloride and iron filings using your own
plan
Pre-lab Discussion:
Fill in the table below with the properties of each substance. You and your lab partner are to spend
some time in discussion and map out a strategy of how each substance will be separated and write a
plan for Miss Kane to check.
SUBSTANCE
Sand (SiO2)
Soluble in
water?
Magnetic?
Large or small
particles
Iron
Any other unique
properties
Iron
Sodium chloride
Draw or write down how you will separate the mixture. You will need to be clear and show/write the
equipment you will use, as well as the order and how you will do it.
Results (Write down what happened)
Discussion
Relate the properties of the substances (in your table above) to why you could use that method of
separation. Eg Marbles are very large, so we could sift them and they would not go through the sieve
whereas the other materials are small and can fit through the gaps. This would separate the marble
from the rest of the mixture.
Questions
1. What 2 other elements are magnetic?
2. What do the following words mean?
a) Soluble
b) Solvent
c) Insoluble
3. Which chemical was soluble in water?
4. Which chemical was insoluble in water?
5. Use the solubility rules from the table to work out whether the following are soluble in water or
not.
Sodium chloride ______________________
Silver chloride ______________________
Sodium carbonate ______________________
Sodium sulphate ______________________
Magnesium chloride ______________________
Copper hydroxide ______________________
MARK SCHEDULE
Not achieved- does not separate all 3 substances
Achieved- separates all 3 substances
Merit – able to link substance properties to being able to separate
Excellence able to use the words soluble, insoluble, magnetic and evaporation correctly and links to
substances properties