How to separate a mixture
To separate any mixture you need to identify the different physical properties of each part of a mixture
and use a specific laboratory procedure that will enable separation.
Cut out the statements below and link each mixture to its physical properties and the laboratory
procedure used to separate it.
Mixture
Physical properties
Laboratory
procedure
stony soil
One part of the mixture is insoluble and
will settle at the bottom of a container.
chromatography
ethanol (an alcohol)
from a mixture of
ethanol and water
Each part of the mixture has a different
solubility.
sieving
salt solution
One part of the mixture is attracted to a
magnet.
evaporation
the pigments in
black ink
Each liquid in the mixture has a different
boiling point.
distillation
sand and iron filings
One part of the mixture is a liquid and the
other is an insoluble solid.
filtration
a suspension of
chalk dust in water
This is a mixture of different sized
particles.
magnetism
stones and water
One part of the mixture has a much lower
boiling point.
decanting
© www.teachitscience.co.uk 2012
19093
Page 1 of 2
How to separate a mixture
Answers
Mixture
Physical properties
Laboratory
procedure
stony soil
This is a mixture of different sized
particles.
sieving
ethanol (an alcohol)
from a mixture of
ethanol and water
Each liquid in the mixture has a different
boiling point.
distillation
salt solution
One part of the mixture has a much lower
boiling point.
evaporation
the pigments in
black ink
Each part of the mixture has a different
solubility.
chromatography
sand and iron filings
One part of the mixture is attracted to a
magnet.
magnetism
a suspension of
chalk dust in water
One part of the mixture is a liquid and the
other is an insoluble solid.
filtration
stones and water
One part of the mixture is insoluble and
will settle at the bottom of a container.
decanting
© www.teachitscience.co.uk 2012
19093
Page 2 of 2