Multiple Choice
Which method would be most effective for separating a mixture of sand and salt dissolved in water?
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4. BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures
Filtration and Evaporation
Multiple Choice
Which of the following mixtures can be separated by filtration?
A
Salt and water
B
Sand and water
C
Sugar dissolved in ethanol
D
Air and water vapor
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the principle of filtration: Filtration is a technique used to separate a solid from a liquid when the solid is insoluble and forms a heterogeneous mixture (a suspension). The solid particles are trapped by the filter, while the liquid passes through.
Analyze each mixture to determine if it is a suspension or a solution:
- Salt and water: Salt dissolves in water forming a homogeneous solution, so filtration cannot separate them.
- Sand and water: Sand does not dissolve in water, forming a heterogeneous mixture (suspension), so filtration can separate them.
- Sugar dissolved in ethanol: Sugar dissolves in ethanol forming a solution, so filtration cannot separate them.
- Air and water vapor: Both are gases and form a homogeneous mixture, so filtration is not applicable.
Identify the mixture that forms a suspension with solid particles large enough to be trapped by a filter, which is sand and water.
Conclude that filtration is effective only for mixtures where the solid is insoluble and suspended in a liquid, such as sand and water.
Remember that filtration cannot separate dissolved substances or gases; other separation methods like evaporation or distillation are needed for those.
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