Separation of a Mixture Lab
Chemistry 11
Name: ________________________
Purpose:
The purpose of this lab is to separate a mixture into its components, recovering each
component separately.
Procedure:
You will be given a mixture consisting of the following substances: sand, copper
sulphate, benzoic acid, styrofoam and iron fillings.
You will have access to the following materials: filter paper, magnets, water, alcohol and
tweezers.
With your lab partner, devise a method to separate the mixture. You must individually
write down all the steps you will take, listing the reasoning behind each step. You must
show me all five separate components.
The following information about physical properties may or may not be useful to you in
devising your plan:
sand
copper sulphate
benzoic acid
styrofoam
iron fillings
soluble in
water
no
yes
no
no
no
List all steps and reasoning here:
soluble in
alcohol
no
no
yes
no
no
magnetic
no
no
no
no
yes
density
(g/ml)
2.2
2.3
1.3
0.91
7.9
colour
light brown
blue
white
white
grey / black