Methods of Separating Substances

Methods of Separating Substances

1. Homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures can be separated into their components by several physical methods. The choice of separation techniques is based on the type of mixture and difference in the chemical properties of the constituents of a mixture.

2. Filtration is used for a solid that does not dissolve in a liquid . It is the separation of solids from a fluid (either a gas or a liquid) by allowing the fluid to pass through a filter. The liquid result of filtration is called a filtrate. The solid phase remains on a filter paper embedded in a funnel.

3. Distillation is the separation of liquids based on their different boiling points. To distil a mixture, we warm it up in a distillation flask. The temperature of the mixture increases and the liquid of a lower boiling point begins to evaporate. The vapour passes through a cooler and condenses. The drops are retained in a receiving flask. Such liquid is called a distillate.

4. Fractional distillation is used for the separation of a mixture of two or more miscible liquids for which the difference in boiling points is less than 25K. The apparatus for fractional distillation is similar to that of simple distillation, except that a fractionating column is fitted in between the distillation flask and the condenser.

5. Crystallization is a separation technique that is used to separate a solid that has dissolved in a liquid and made a solution.

6. Chromatography can be used to separate mixtures of coloured compounds. Mixtures that are suitable for separation by chromatography include inks, dyes and colouring agents in food.

7. Decanting is a process used to separate mixtures, and ii its simplest form it just means allowing a mixture of solid and liquid or two immiscible liquids to settle and separate by gravity.

8. Extractions are a way to separate a desired substance when it is mixed with others.

9. Nicolas Juangorena Garcia 9 A Chemistry Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.chemicool.com/definition/extraction.html.Helmenstine, T. (2019, August 6). Not Just for Wine: What Is Decanting in Chemistry? Retrieved September 30, 2019, from https://www.thoughtco.com/decantation-in-chemistry-609185.Our Objective. (n.d.). Retrieved September 30, 2019, from https://amrita.olabs.edu.in/?sub=73&brch=2&sim=96&cnt=1.