Separation techniques

Filtration

This technique is used to separate an insoluble solid from a liquid. It can be used to obtain a product that is free from unreacted chemicals, or .

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Separating insoluble solids
1. One beaker contains a mixture of solid and liquid, the other contains a funnel with filter paper
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2. The solid and liquid mixture is poured into the filter funnel
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3. The liquid drips through the filter paper but the solid particles are caught in the filter paper

Evaporation

One way to separate a soluble solid from its solution is to make crystals. This involves the solution to a much smaller volume and then leaving it to cool. As the solution cools, crystals form, and these can be obtained by filtration.

Simple distillation

Distillation separates a liquid from a solution. For example, water can be separated from salty water by simple distillation. This method works because the water evaporates from the solution, but is then cooled and in a condenser and collected in a separate container. The salt does not evaporate and so it stays behind.

Separating a liquid from a solution

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Simple distillation
1. Salty water is heated
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2. The water vapour cools in the condenser and drips into a beaker
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3. The water has condensed and is now in the beaker, the salt stays behind

Separating mixturesSeparation techniques