separating mixtures

• Many of the materials around us are mixtures. These mixtures have two or more than two substances (or components) mixed in them.
• It may not be possible to use a mixture as such in homes and in industries.
• We may require only one (or two) separate components of a mixture for our use.
• So, we have to separate the various mixtures into their individual components to make them useful in our daily life.
• Mixtures


  • The various components have different physical properties such as hardness, density, solubility, size of particles, behavior towards magnets, volatility, boiling points, etc.
• Reasons for Separating Mixtures Into Their Components

  • To remove an undesirable component
  • To remove a harmful component
  • To obtain the pure sample of a substance
  • To obtain a useful component
• The best process to use depends on the type of mixture you are separating.
• Separation of a mixture of sand and salt

  1. Add water and stir

  2. Filter to obtain sand residue and salt solution

  3. Evaporate salt solution to obtain pure salt
• Separation of a mixture of iron filings, chalk powder and common salt

  1. Use magnet to separate iron filings

  2. Add water and stir to dissolve salt

  3. Filter to obtain chalk powder residue and salt solution

  4. Evaporate salt solution to obtain pure salt
• Sieving can be used to separate cashew nuts of different sizes in cashew nut factories.