In class we did many different examples of separation showing how each property can be used to separate a substance from the mixture. Using the properties of matter and another form of separation called chromatography we were able to separate and weigh each amount of a substance.
In the first lab we did in class we separated into groups and made different mixtures for the other group to separate. We then had to decide what the best plan of attack was. We noticed that there was a different size to each substance so we started out by filtering out the marble stones. Then we added another layer of filtering mesh and was able to separate the marble chips and boiling stones. We then had white sand and iron. We knew then that a magnet would get the job done and went to town on the mixture trying to get all the iron onto our magnets. We were able to separate the mixture quickly and accurately because we knew the properties of the substances and was able to use them to our advantage.
In the second lab we did, in class, we learned what chromatography is. Chromatography is the separation of a mixture by passing it in solution or suspension or as a vapor through a medium in which the components move at different rates. To demonstrate this we were told to just draw a picture on a piece of filter paper. As the water diffused through the filter paper it started to move the color molecules. The wear transported the molecules differently. The heavier molecules weren't able to travel as far as the lighter ones. This allowed me to see and put into perspective how heavy each color is and which is lighter and which is heavier.
We also did another separation lab where we were told to create layers in a beaker by just using sugar, water, and food coloring. I was able to figure out how to make a 5 layered mixture. It was hard to make the solutions different enough to not combine with each other. It was fun to do this experiment because of how much trial and error went into it. You never knew which solutions with which colors would create each layer. I used a totally saturated mixture to a pure water mixture which left me with three mixtures in between. It was fun to experiment with the total amount of sugar and water used.
