A Soluble Separation Solution
Objective
In this experiment you will learn about soluble and insoluble chemicals, and use the
difference in solubility of salt and pepper to separate the components of a mixture.
Introduction
Chemistry is the study of matter and how matter behaves and interacts with other kinds
of matter. The way that matter behaves is called a "property" of matter. Everything
around us is made of matter, and you can explore the properties of matter using some
common chemicals around your home.
One important property of matter is called "solubility." We think about solubility when we
dissolve something in water. If a chemical is soluble in water, then when you add it to
water it will dissolve, or disappear. If it is not soluble, then it will not dissolve and you
will still see it floating around in the water.
When you add a soluble chemical to dissolve in water you are making a "solution," and
solutions are very important for chemistry. We call the chemical you are adding the
"solute" and the liquid that it dissolves in the "solvent." Even though after a solute
dissolves in a solvent it becomes invisible, it is still there. If you were to evaporate all of
the liquid away from the solution, you would be left with your dry chemical again. In fact,
this is how salt is processed in giant salt flats where seawater is slowly evaporated,
leaving behind huge amounts of sea salt.
All of the different kinds of matter can be sorted into categories based upon whether
they are soluble or not in different solvents. Because of this, the properties and
solubility of different chemicals can be used to separate mixtures of chemicals. A
chemical mixture is a blend of two or more different kinds of chemicals where the
individual chemicals do not react with each other, but remain separate. You can see an
example of this when you look closely at a dry mixture of salt and pepper.
In this experiment, you will use the different properties of the chemicals in salt and
pepper to separate a mixture. By doing this, you will learn about the solubility of soluble
and insoluble chemicals.
Terms, Concepts and Questions to Start Background Research
To do this type of experiment you should know what the following terms mean. Have an
adult help you search the internet, or take you to your local library to find out more!
chemical
crystals
mixture
solution
soluble
solute
solvent
insoluble
filtration
evaporation
Materials and Equipment
salt
pepper
tea kettle
2 small glass jars with lids
water
measuring cup
funnel
coffee filter
magnifying lens
Experimental Procedure
1) Before you begin, you will want to examine your salt and pepper closely and make
some initial observations. Place some salt and pepper on a napkin and using your
magnifying glass, make some observations and draw what you see. What do you
notice? Record your observations in a data table like the one shown below:
2) In your glass jar, add 1/4 cup of salt, and 1/4 cup of coarsely ground pepper.
3) Put the lid on your jar and shake until the salt and pepper are completely mixed
together.
4)Using your magnifying lens, look closely at the mixture. What do you notice? Can you
still see the individual grains of salt and pepper? Record your observations in your data
table.
5) Put the teakettle on the stove, and heat up some boiling water.
6) Pour 1/2 cup of boiling water into your jar and stir with a spoon. Be careful and get
help from a parent or adult, the glass will get very hot!
7)Using your magnifying lens, look closely at your solution. What do you notice? Can
you still see the individual grains of salt and pepper? Record your observations in your
data table.
8)Place the coffee filter in the funnel and place the funnel in the top of your second
glass jar to make your separation apparatus:
Slowly pour the solution over your filter, being careful not to pour too much at once. As
the solution seeps through the filter, let it collect in your jar.
Now look at the coffee filter, what do you see? Carefully scrape off any particles with a
spoon and place them into the first glass jar.
Place both glass jars onto a cookie sheet, and bake in the oven at 325 degrees until all
of the water has evaporated from both of the jars. You will need an adults help with this.
Remove the jars and allow them to cool to room temperature before handling. They will
be very hot!
After the jars are cool, use your magnifying lens to make observations of the two jars.
What do you notice? Can you still see the individual grains of salt and pepper? Are they
mixed together or separated? Record your observations in your data table.
Now carefully use a measuring cup to measure the amount of salt and pepper you
ended up with. Do these amounts match the amounts you started with? Why do you
think this happened?
Credits
Sara Agee, Ph.D., Science Buddies
Objective
In this experiment you will learn about soluble and insoluble chemicals, and use the
difference in solubility of salt and pepper to separate the components of a mixture.
Introduction
Chemistry is the study of matter and how matter behaves and interacts with other kinds
of matter. The way that matter behaves is called a "property" of matter. Everything
around us is made of matter, and you can explore the properties of matter using some
common chemicals around your home.
One important property of matter is called "solubility." We think about solubility when we
dissolve something in water. If a chemical is soluble in water, then when you add it to
water it will dissolve, or disappear. If it is not soluble, then it will not dissolve and you
will still see it floating around in the water.
When you add a soluble chemical to dissolve in water you are making a "solution," and
solutions are very important for chemistry. We call the chemical you are adding the
"solute" and the liquid that it dissolves in the "solvent." Even though after a solute
dissolves in a solvent it becomes invisible, it is still there. If you were to evaporate all of
the liquid away from the solution, you would be left with your dry chemical again. In fact,
this is how salt is processed in giant salt flats where seawater is slowly evaporated,
leaving behind huge amounts of sea salt.
All of the different kinds of matter can be sorted into categories based upon whether
they are soluble or not in different solvents. Because of this, the properties and
solubility of different chemicals can be used to separate mixtures of chemicals. A
chemical mixture is a blend of two or more different kinds of chemicals where the
individual chemicals do not react with each other, but remain separate. You can see an
example of this when you look closely at a dry mixture of salt and pepper.
In this experiment, you will use the different properties of the chemicals in salt and
pepper to separate a mixture. By doing this, you will learn about the solubility of soluble
and insoluble chemicals.
Terms, Concepts and Questions to Start Background Research
To do this type of experiment you should know what the following terms mean. Have an
adult help you search the internet, or take you to your local library to find out more!
chemical
crystals
mixture
solution
soluble
solute
solvent
insoluble
filtration
evaporation
Materials and Equipment
salt
pepper
tea kettle
2 small glass jars with lids
water
measuring cup
funnel
coffee filter
magnifying lens
Experimental Procedure
1) Before you begin, you will want to examine your salt and pepper closely and make
some initial observations. Place some salt and pepper on a napkin and using your
magnifying glass, make some observations and draw what you see. What do you
notice? Record your observations in a data table like the one shown below:
2) In your glass jar, add 1/4 cup of salt, and 1/4 cup of coarsely ground pepper.
3) Put the lid on your jar and shake until the salt and pepper are completely mixed
together.
4)Using your magnifying lens, look closely at the mixture. What do you notice? Can you
still see the individual grains of salt and pepper? Record your observations in your data
table.
5) Put the teakettle on the stove, and heat up some boiling water.
6) Pour 1/2 cup of boiling water into your jar and stir with a spoon. Be careful and get
help from a parent or adult, the glass will get very hot!
7)Using your magnifying lens, look closely at your solution. What do you notice? Can
you still see the individual grains of salt and pepper? Record your observations in your
data table.
8)Place the coffee filter in the funnel and place the funnel in the top of your second
glass jar to make your separation apparatus:
Slowly pour the solution over your filter, being careful not to pour too much at once. As
the solution seeps through the filter, let it collect in your jar.
Now look at the coffee filter, what do you see? Carefully scrape off any particles with a
spoon and place them into the first glass jar.
Place both glass jars onto a cookie sheet, and bake in the oven at 325 degrees until all
of the water has evaporated from both of the jars. You will need an adults help with this.
Remove the jars and allow them to cool to room temperature before handling. They will
be very hot!
After the jars are cool, use your magnifying lens to make observations of the two jars.
What do you notice? Can you still see the individual grains of salt and pepper? Are they
mixed together or separated? Record your observations in your data table.
Now carefully use a measuring cup to measure the amount of salt and pepper you
ended up with. Do these amounts match the amounts you started with? Why do you
think this happened?
Credits
Sara Agee, Ph.D., Science Buddies
A Soluble Separation Solution
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