List Five Methods To Separate Mixtures And When To Use Them

Mixtures are separated by physical methods that exploit the different physical properties of their components. The method chosen depends entirely on the specific properties of the substances in the mixture.

1. Filtration
   • Property Used: Difference in particle size (or state of matter).
   • When to Use: To separate an insoluble solid from a liquid. 
     Example: Separating sand from water. The water (filtrate) passes through the filter paper, while the sand (residue) is left behind.
2. Evaporation
   • Property Used: Difference in boiling point (specifically, one component is a dissolved solid and the other is a liquid).
   • When to Use: To separate a soluble solid (solute) from a liquid (solvent) when you want to *keep the solid*. 
     Example: Obtaining salt from a salt-water solution. The water is boiled off, leaving the solid salt crystals behind.
3. Distillation (Simple and Fractional)
   • Property Used: Difference in boiling points of two or more liquids.
   • When to Use: To separate two or more miscible liquids (liquids that mix together). The liquid with the lower boiling point evaporates first, is cooled in a condenser, and is collected (the distillate). 
     Example: Separating pure water from salt water (to keep the water) or separating alcohol from water.
4. Magnetism
   • Property Used: One component is magnetic (ferromagnetic), and the other(s) are not.
   • When to Use: To separate a magnetic solid from a non-magnetic solid. 
     Example: Separating iron filings from a mixture of iron and sulfur powder. The magnet will attract only the iron.
5. Separatory Funnel (Decantation)
   • Property Used: Difference in density and immiscibility (do not mix).
   • When to Use: To separate two immiscible liquids. The denser liquid forms the bottom layer and can be carefully drained off. 
     Example: Separating oil from water. Water is denser, so it forms the bottom layer and can be released through the tap.