Activity—Filtration & Distillation
Physical Science
MTHS/Marsden
Introduction: The following 2 labs make use of different properties of matter in order to separate mixtures into
two or more pure substances. Perform the following tasks, read the assigned sections carefully and answer the
assigned questions in your lab journals.
READ: Scientists are often asked to “purify” mixtures for various reasons. For example, medicine is prepared
in a laboratory and after its initial preparation it is often impure because other chemicals are mixed in with it.
Medications must be 99.9 % pure in order for humans to use the medications. How do scientists purify these
mixtures? We’ll learn about two ways through these labs.
PART 1: SEPARATING A MIXTURE BY FILTRATION
(1) Observe the mixture at your lab bench.
 Does the mixture appear to be homogeneous or heterogeneous? Explain how you know.
Directions:
 Place a funnel in the ring stand at your lab bench and place a small beaker underneath the funnel.
 Fold the filter paper into fourths and make a pocket as demonstrated.
 Place the pocket in the funnel and gently pour the mixture into the funnel (DO NOT OVERFLOW THE
FILTER PAPER).
(2) In your journal, draw and label the experimental set up and results of filtrations.
(3) While you wait for the liquid to drain through the filter paper, read the “Filtration” section on page 50 of
your textbook.
 Define “filtration” and give an example of how people use this process in their daily lives.
 What is the property of the “parts” of the mixture that allows you to separate a mixture using filtration?
PART 2: SEPARATING A MIXTURE BY DISTILLATION
Obtain a “secret substance” from the center cart.
 Record the letter on the flask in your journal.
 Observe the substance with your eyes. Does this substance appear to be pure or impure? Explain.
Directions: The substance you obtained is either pure water or impure salt water (ie, a mixture of salt and
water). Your task today will be to separate this mixture and determine whether it is pure or impure.
 Place the “secret substance” in the flask onto a hot plate,
 Turn the hot plate to a high setting.
 Watch as the substance boils.
(4) While you wait for the “secret substance” to boil…
 Read the “Distillation” section on page 50 of your textbook.
 Define “distillation” and give an example of how people use this process in their daily lives.
 What is the property of the “parts” of a mixture that allows you to separate a mixture using distillation?
(5) After your “secret substance” has boiled off the liquid use the tongs in order to remove the flask from the
hot plate and set it on the ceramic tile. Turn the hot plate off.
 Observe the flask and sketch what you see. Include labels. Record your observations.
 Was your “secret substance” a compound or a homogeneous mixture? Explain your reasoning.
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Name __________________________________________ Date ________________________ Period _______
ASSESSMENT: APPLYING WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED ABOUT FILTRATION AND
DISTILLATION
If you were given a mixture of sand and salt water, how could you separate this mixture into 3 separate pure
substances?
 Write the steps that explains how you would go about separating this mixture, name the processes used
and identify the properties of matter used to separate each substance. Drawings work wonders for
understanding the processes used!
HINT: does it matter whether you use filtration or distillation first? Why or why not?
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