Lab: Separation of Mixtures Part A—Sedimentation and Decantation Materials​
: Substances: coarse sand stirring rod fine sand five 150 mL beakers (We may only have one or two beakers) magnesium carbonate marker salt Procedure​
: 1. Add each of the 4 substances (coarse sand, fine sand, magnesium carbonate, salt) to a separate 150 ml beaker. Label your beakers using a marker. a. Use only a ​
very small amount​
of salt and magnesium carbonate b. Use about 25 ml each of coarse and fine sand c. Add 25 mL of water to each beaker and stir the contents with the stirring rod. 2. Let the contents settle and observe the mixtures. Record observations. 3. In the results table, indicate which substance sediments first (1), second (2) etc, or not at all. th
4. For the mixtures where sedimentation occurred, pour out the water into your 5​
beaker. This process is called decantation. 5. For the mixtures that did not sediment, do not do anything. Results: Substance Appearance of mixture Rate of Settling (ie. fast, slow) Coarse sand Fine sand Magnesium carbonate Order to sediment (1, 2 or not at all) 1 Salt Questions: 1. Is there a relationship between the density of the particles and the rate of settling? Explain. 2. Once the particles have separated into layers, what is done to physically separate the particles into separate containers? 3. Can sedimentation and decantation be used for all types of mixtures? ​
Explain. Part B – Filtration Materials:​
Magnesium carbonate and water mixture (left from Part A) Salt and water mixture (left from Part A) 2 filter papers 2 funnels 2 Erlenmeyer flasks Procedure: 1) Fold the filter papers as shown by your teacher and place it in the funnel. 2) Place the funnel on top of the Erlenmeyer flask 3) Pour the magnesium carbonate and water mixture into the funnel and wait for the filtrate to pass through into the Erlenmeyer flask. 4) Repeat the same process for the salt and water mixture. Note: ● The ​
filtrate​
is the liquid that passes through the filter paper. ● The ​
residue​
is what is left on/in the filter paper. 2 Results: Mixture Magnesium Carbonate and water Appearance of residue Nature of residue (what is it?) Appearance of filtrate Nature of filtrate Salt and Water Questions: 1) How does filtration work? 2) Can this method be used with both of these mixtures? ​
Explain. Part C- Distillation: Materials:​
Erlenmeyer flask hot plate test tube salt and water solution distillation apparatus 600 mL beaker Procedure​
: 1) Use the salt and water solution in the Erlenmeyer flask from Part B of the experiment. 2) Set up the equipment according to the sample at the front of the lab. 3) Turn on the hot plate and boil until the salt and water are separated. Note: The ​
distillate​
is the liquid that is being boiled off from the flask. The ​
residue​
is what is left behind in the Erlenmeyer flask. 3 Results: Mixture Salt and water Appearance of residue Nature of residue (ie. What is it?) Appearance of distillate Nature of distillate Question: 1)
How does distillation work? 4