Choosing a method of separation
You鈥檒l have to choose the best separation technique when you鈥檙e asked to separate the components of a mixture. This table can help:
| Mixture | Separating technique | Example |
| Insoluble solid and liquid | Filtration | Sand and water |
| Soluble solid and liquid (solution) | Crystalisation (by evaporation) | Salt water (sodium chloride solution) |
| Two miscible liquids | Distillation | Ethanol and water |
| Soluble solids dissolved in a solvent | Paper chromatography | Food colourings, dyes and inks |
| Mixture | Insoluble solid and liquid |
|---|---|
| Separating technique | Filtration |
| Example | Sand and water |
| Mixture | Soluble solid and liquid (solution) |
|---|---|
| Separating technique | Crystalisation (by evaporation) |
| Example | Salt water (sodium chloride solution) |
| Mixture | Two miscible liquids |
|---|---|
| Separating technique | Distillation |
| Example | Ethanol and water |
| Mixture | Soluble solids dissolved in a solvent |
|---|---|
| Separating technique | Paper chromatography |
| Example | Food colourings, dyes and inks |