Separation techniques

• Sieving: A method of separating particles of different sizes by passing them through a sieve/ mesh.
• Distillation: A technique used to separate liquids with different boiling points, where the less volatile substance is left behind as the more volatile one evaporates and condenses into another container.
• Chromatography: A separation technique that uses a stationary phase (e.g., paper) and a mobile phase (e.g., solvent) to separate mixtures based on their relative affinity for the two phases.
• Distillation: A technique used to separate liquids with different boiling points, where the mixture is heated until it vaporises and then condensed back into a liquid.
• Paper chromatography: A type of chromatography that involves placing a spot of a solution containing multiple substances onto a strip of paper, which is then placed in a container filled with a solvent. As the solvent moves up the paper, the components of the mixture will move at different rates due to differences in their interactions with the paper and solvent.
• Filtration: The process of removing solid impurities from a liquid using a filter paper or cloth
• Evaporation: Removing water from a solution by heating it so that the water turns into gas and leaves the solute behind
• Crystallisation: A technique used to purify a solid compound by dissolving it in a suitable solvent and allowing it to crystallise out when the solvent evaporates.
• Crystallisation: A purification technique involving cooling a saturated solution below its freezing point so that crystals form out of the dissolved solute.
• Sedimentation and Decantation: Sedimentation is the process of settling out the solids from a liquid. Decantation is the process of removing the liquid from the solid.
• Centrifuge: A machine used to separate liquids from solids by spinning them at high speeds. Heavier material is forced to the outer- edge of the spinning matter. e.g. Radioisotopes
• Separation funnel: A funnel with a narrow neck and wide base, used to separate liquids. Liquids with a higher density go to the bottom.
• Distillation: Separating a liquid from a solution by heating the solution and cooling the liquid. Separate solutions to collect the purified solvent.
• Fractional Distillation: Separating mixtures of liquids with different boiling points, the heat is reduced up the tower -> boiling liquids condense out.