MLS 121L (Inorganic and Organic Chemistry Laboratory): Activity 03

SEPARATING COMPONENTS OF MIXTURES

I. Aims

 To identify appropriate methods of physically separating components of a mixture based on the

properties of its individual components
 To apply correct chemistry laboratory procedures in performing physical separation of
components of a mixture
 To determine percent recovery of components of a mixture from known/given proportions

II. Materials and Apparatus/Equipment

 Benzoic acid  Small test tube fitted  Filter paper

 Silicon dioxide onto a cork  Erlenmeyer flask
 Sodium chloride  Iron stand  Bunsen burner
 Cracked ice  Iron clamp  Watch glasses
 Distilled water  Tripod  Evaporating dish
 Mortar and pestle  Wire gauze  Funnel
 Big test tube  Analytical balance

III. Activities

Preparation of Solid Mixture

1. Carefully weigh 5g sodium chloride, 3g benzoic acid, and 1g silicon dioxide in separate watch
glasses.
2. Characterize the individual solid components.
3. Place all three solids in a mortar and mix thoroughly by grinding with a pestle.
4. Characterize the resulting mixture by noting its physical appearance.

Separation by Microscale Sublimation

1. Transfer the solid mixture into a previously weighed big test tube. Note the mass difference of
the test tube with the sample and the test tube only.
2. Fill a smaller tube fitted onto a cork with cracked ice then insert the assembly into the big test
tube.
3. Attach the setup to an iron stand with the big test tube parallel to the stand.
4. Heat the bottom of the tube gently until no further white smoke is evolved.
5. Let the setup cool then carefully remove the smaller test tube taking care not to scrape the
sublimate along its sides with the sides and mouth of the big test tube.
6. Collect the sublimate into a previously weighed watch glass. Note the mass of the sublimate.
7. Characterize the sublimate.
8. Weigh the sufficiently cooled big test tube with the remaining sample. Note the mass difference
of the sample before and after sublimation.
Separation by Extraction and Filtration

1. Add 10mL distilled water into the big test tube with the remaining sample then vigorously shake
the tube to effect complete extraction into the solvent of one of the solid components.
2. Let stand then filter the mixture using a previously weighed filter paper fitted into a funnel.
Collect the filtrate into an Erlenmeyer flask.
3. Rinse the test tube with distilled water to flush some solids along its sides if needed. Make sure
to collect all the solids into the filter paper.
4. Leave the filter paper inside your locker to completely air dry.
5. Note the mass of the collected residue.
6. Characterize the residue

Separation by Evaporation

1. Transfer the filtrate into a previously weighed evaporating dish.

2. Gently heat the dish to effect evaporation of the solvent. Take note to remove the source of heat
when the solid reaches incipient dryness.
3. Let the dish cool down sufficiently then weight it.
4. Note the mass of the collected residue.
5. Characterize the residue.

Using data collected in this laboratory, determine which mixture component was separated in each of the
procedures done. Also, determine efficiency of the separation procedures by computing for the percent
recovery of each component.