Separating Mixtures Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the definition of mixtures and various physical separation methods including magnetism, filtration, extraction, evaporation, and chromatography.

Mixture

When two or more materials or substances are mixed together but do not chemically combine, meaning they retain their original properties and can be separated by physical means.

Magnetism

A separation method used if one component of the mixture has magnetic properties, such as iron, nickel, or cobalt.

Magnetic Materials

Specific materials that are magnetic, including iron, nickel, and cobalt.

Non-magnetic Metals

Examples of metals that do not have magnetic properties, such as gold, silver, and aluminum.

Hand separation

The process of separating the parts of a mixture by hand; it is only useful when particles are large enough to be seen clearly, such as components of a salad.

Filtration

A technique used to separate a solid substance from a fluid (liquid or gas) by passing the mixture through a porous material.

Porous Material Examples

Materials used as filters, such as a coffee filter, cloth, oil filter, or sand.

Sifting or sieving

A method used to separate a dry mixture containing substances of different sizes by passing it through a device with tiny holes.

Extraction

A process used to separate an insoluble solid from a soluble solid by adding a solvent, then pouring the liquid through a filter.

Insoluble solid

A substance that does not dissolve in a liquid.

Soluble solid

A substance that does dissolve in a liquid.

Solvent

A liquid that does the dissolving during the extraction process.

Evaporation

A method where a liquid is allowed to evaporate, leaving the soluble solid behind, such as heating sugar water to leave sugar crystals.

Chromatography

A technique used to separate dissolved substances in a solution by flowing the mixture through a material that retains some components more than others, causing them to move at different speeds.

Stationary Phase

One of the two components involved in chromatography used to provide a material for the mixture to flow through.

Mobile Phase

The component in chromatography that flows through the stationary phase, carrying the dissolved substances.