Separating a Mixture Virtual Lab
Stage 0-​Remember that a ​mixture ​can be physically separated. Use your notes from the Mixture Separation
Edpuzzle to complete the table below.
Mixture
Physical Property
Separation Method
Soil
Particle Size
Sifting
Blood
Density
Centrifuge
Water and Oil
Kool Aid in Water
Metal trimmings in wood chips
Stage 1-Research
1. Go to the virtual lab
https://my.hrw.com/sh2/sh07_10/student/flash/virtual_investigations/hst/mix/hst_mix_vi.html
2. Click on the lab coat, protective gloves, and safety goggles. Then, click ​Enter.
3. Copy the properties of these substances from the ​material facts file​ at the bottom of the screen. Click
on the tabs to view the properties of salt and sand.
Iron
●
Salt
Sand
Silvery white metal
4. Click the ​Equipment Manual ​on the lower left side of the screen to read about the equipment you can
use to separate the components of the mixture. Fill in the following table below.
Name
Beaker
Picture
Function
5. Think about the most logical order in which to separate the components. Then, click on the container
with the label of the component you want to separate first.
a. Do you think it matters what order you separate the components of the mixture? Why? Use at
least two sentences to explain.
6. Write a proposal for how you intend to separate this mixture. You must list ​every ​piece of equipment
you would need to use for this experiment. You will need to refer to the research you have done on the
equipment and the properties of salt, sand, and iron filings.
Rough Draft Procedure
*Type your safety concerns here (are we doing anything dangerous?)
*Type your material list here (what did you use?)Example: beaker, magnet
*Type your procedure here (How do you plan to separate the mixture?)
Step #
In the container:
What to do and what
tools to use:
What will come out:
What will be left:
1
Iron, sand, salt
Magnet, magnetism
iron
Sand, salt
2
3
Stage 2- Conducting the Experiment
1. Go to the virtual lab ​Link Here
2. Click on the lab coat, protective gloves, and safety goggles. Then, click ​Enter.
3. Click on the container with the label of the component you want to separate first (sand, salt, iron filings).
4. Click on the ​Equipment Cupboard ​to open it.
5. Click all of the equipment you will need to separate the component. Remember: your goal is to
separate the components using the ​fewest​ possible steps and the least amount of time!
6. Click ​separate​ to begin the process of separation.
a. Were you able to separate the component you selected?
b. If no, what would you do differently?
7. Click ​submit​ to collect the component in the glass container.
8. Repeat steps 2-9 for the remaining two components. Record any changes to your procedure in the
table below.
Changes to the procedure
*Type your changes here*
9. Write your ​final draft​ of the procedure here with your changes to the procedure.
Final Draft Procedure
*Type your safety concerns here (are we doing anything dangerous?)
*Type your material list here (what did you use?)Example: beaker, magnet
*Type your procedure here (How do you plan to separate the mixture?)
Step #
In the container:
1
sand, salt,
metal
What to do and what
tools to use:
What will come out:
What will be left:
2
3
Stage 3-Reflection and Extension
1. How important is research to the process of performing a science experiment?
2. What could happen if a scientist does not research the materials that are being used in an
experiment?
3. Do you think scientists revise or fix their procedures when conducting an experiment? Why or
why not?
4. Your lab partner accidentally knocked plastic beads into your heterogeneous mixture of iron
filings, salt, and sand. Explain what your experimental procedure would be in order to separate
the parts of the mixture. Be specific, include step by step instructions. Include any lab
equipment or materials you would use to complete each procedure. You may draw a diagram
to support, not replace, your explanation.
4-Part Mixture Separation procedure
*Type your procedure here*