Moore, Timothy
Moore, Timothy
Instructor: Mrs. Tammy Moore
Class: VHSG Online Chemistry
26 October 2009
EXPERIMENT 4.1
Separating and Mixture of Sand and Salt
This lab investigates the use of filtering as a means of separating substances in a mixture.
Abstract
[What you will put here: Summarize the whole report in one, concise paragraph of about 100-200
words. You cannot write the abstract until after you've completed the report. Because it assumes that
you will speak to your conclusion or what you learned in brief.]
Introduction
[What you will put here: In this introduction, some background is provided for the reader
(sources are noted in the reference section at the end of the report).Typically, the introduction states the
problem to be solved or the experiment to be performed and explains its purpose and significance. It
also provides whatever background theory, previous research, or formulas the reader needs to
understand to perform the experiment (or solve the problem).]
Methods and Observations
Materials

2 beakers, 100 mL and 250 mL

Sand

Table salt

Funnel

Water

Filter paper (coffee filter is fine)

Stirring rod
Moore, Timothy

Teaspoon
SETTING UP:
To begin the lab, I measured 1 tsp of sand and a teaspoon of salt and poured them into the 100
mL beaker. I stirred them well. This is a mixture because the molecules of each do not react together.
They are merely mixed together. In this solid form, the two would be difficult to separate because their
physical characteristics in solid form are very similar.
FILTERING:
In purifying a substance, you are trying to find ways in which the two substances differ. Sand
and salt differ in their solubility in water. One will dissolve and the other will not. I added about 25 mL
of water into the mixture and stirred to dissolve the salt. I then folded the filter paper so that it made a
pocket and placed it in the funnel. The solution was poured through this filter. I then rinsed some
additional water through the filter.
MEASURING HOW MUCH REMAINS:
Sand: I allowed the sand to dry and measured to see if I had the same amount as what I started
with.
Salt: The salt was dissolved in the water, so I allowed the water to evaporate off and I them
compared the final amount to the amount I started with.
Data
Total volume of sand before reaction:
Total volume of sand after reaction:
Difference:
Total volume of salt before reaction:
Total volume of salt after reaction:
Difference:
Moore, Timothy
Conclusion
My observations [You must explain, analyze, and interpret your results, being especially careful
to explain any errors or problems. This is probably the single most important part of the report, since it
is here that you demonstrate that you understand and can interpret what you have done. Read Dr. Wile’s
explanation of the experiment in the text. Just don’t copy it word for word. ]
References
[Use MLA citation standards. This is commonly used in lab reports, but APA is used in some colleges
too. I encourage you to do some of your own research too and add to the introduction section of the lab
report from what you learn.