Chapter 1: Problem 84

Mixtures can always be separated by physical means. Describe how you would separate the components in a mixture of table salt and sand.

Short Answer

Expert verified

To separate a mixture of table salt and sand, follow these steps: (1) Add the mixture to a container and pour water to dissolve the salt. (2) Stir the mixture to ensure complete dissolution of salt. (3) Allow the sand to settle at the bottom of the container. (4) Set up a filtration system using a funnel and filter paper. (5) Carefully pour the saltwater onto the filter paper, leaving the sand trapped in the filter. (6) Collect the separated sand from the filter paper after it dries. (7) To recover the salt from the collected saltwater, allow the water to evaporate, leaving the salt residue behind.

Step by step solution

Gather materials

Collect the mixture of table salt and sand, a beaker or glass container, water, a stirring rod or spoon, a filter paper or coffee filter, a funnel, and an additional container.

Add water to the mixture

Pour the table salt and sand mixture into the beaker or glass container. Then, add enough water to completely submerge the mixture. This process allows the salt to dissolve in the water, leaving sand at the bottom.

Stir the mixture

Use the stirring rod or spoon to mix the content thoroughly. This will help all the salt to dissolve in the water completely. Make sure you stir the mixture until the water looks completely cloudy and saturated with salt.

Settle the sand

Let the mixture sit undisturbed, so that the sand settles at the bottom of the container. Waiting for a few minutes will ensure that all the sand has settled down to the bottom, and the saltwater above it remains unaffected.

Set up the filtration system

Place the funnel onto the additional container. Then, place the filter paper or coffee filter inside the funnel. Ensure that the filter is properly aligned, and the edges are folded over the funnel to keep it in place.

Filter the saltwater from the sand

Slowly and carefully pour the saltwater from the first container onto the filter paper in the funnel. Be careful not to pour any settled sand from the bottom of the first container into the filter. The filter paper will allow the saltwater to pass through, while the sand remains trapped inside the filter.

Collect the separated sand

Remove the filter paper from the funnel and let it dry. Once it is dry, you can scrape off the sand from the filter paper. This will leave you with a pile of completely separated sand.

Recover the salt from the saltwater

The salt is now dissolved in the water collected in the additional container. To recover the salt, allow the container of saltwater to stand in a sunny or warm place to evaporate the water or heat it over low heat, so that the water evaporates, leaving the salt behind as a residue. Make sure to monitor the process carefully to avoid any spillage or overheating. In conclusion, by using water as a solvent and a simple filtration system, we have successfully separated the table salt and sand into their individual components.

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Mixtures can always be separated by physical means. Describe how you would separate the components in a mixture of table salt and sand.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Gather materials

Add water to the mixture

Stir the mixture

Settle the sand

Set up the filtration system

Filter the saltwater from the sand

Collect the separated sand

Recover the salt from the saltwater

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