Lab Separating a Mixture
Background:
Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. Most of the matter around us consists of
mixtures of many substances. Mixtures can be classified as either homogeneous, uniform
composition, or heterogeneous, non uniform composition.
Mixtures can be separated into pure substances by physical methods. A pure substance is one
with uniform and definite composition and can either be an element or a compound. Elements
are the simplest form of matter which cannot be decomposed into simpler substances by any
chemical or physical means and a compound is composed of 2 or more elements that are
chemically combined. Examples of elements are aluminum, gold, and oxygen while examples of
compounds are water or carbon dioxide.
Problem: Is it possible to identify and quantify (in grams) of all the parts of an unknown
mixture? How could this be done?
Safety: The Chemicals in use today are not overly dangerous, so simple safe lab procedures as
we have been talking about all week should be followed. Make sure to handle all glassware
safely, ask me for clarification if unsure how to use any of the chemistry equipment, and
although some parts of the mixture are household objects we should never, ingest, inhale, or
otherwise intake any of the chemicals.
Data and Observations:
You should have one table of Qualitative data (observations) and you should also have one table
of Quantitative observations. Quantitative data should include the mass of all 4 of the
components of the mixture and anything else you find necessary.
Questions:
1.)
How could you determine the type of matter for each of the components of the mixture?
Identify each component.
2.)
not?
Should it be possible to recover all the original materials from the mixture? Why or why
3.)
Explain the reasoning behind the method used to separate each of the specific
components from the mixture. Identify the specific property you used to make the separation.
Error Analysis:
Based on the initial mass of the mixture you were given, did you recover all the matter you
started with.