[Chemistry Class Notes] on Separation of Mixtures Pdf for Exam

In chemistry, the material is made by the physical combination between two similar or different compounds that are mixed together in the form of a solution, colloids, and suspensions. The identities of such compounds are also retained. This is known as a mixture. But, they do not react chemically and are not certainly in a definite ratio. The various components from which the mixture is formed have their own physical properties. There are two types of a mixture such as homogeneous and heterogeneous.

For example: If a mixture is made by mixing water and sugar then the mixture maintains the properties of both elements.

Types of Mixtures

Methods of Separation of Mixtures

The process or method of separation of different components of a mixture by the physical method is known as the separation of mixtures. 

The choice of techniques of separating mixture depends upon mixture type and difference in the chemical properties of the components of the mixture. 

Different Ways of Separating Mixtures

Some of the common techniques used in separating mixtures are as follow:

Separating Funnel

A separating funnel is mostly used to segregate or separate the mixture’s components between two immiscible liquid phases. The mainly aqueous phase and organic solvents are the two immiscible liquid phases found in this method respectively. The mechanism of separation depends upon the unequal density of the liquids. The liquid particles with more density are responsible for forming the lower layer and the upper layer is formed by the liquid having lesser density. This technique is used to separate oil and water.

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Chromatography

The separation technique is used to separate the mixture components by passing them in the suspension or solution or as a vapor over a medium in which the mixture constitutes or components move at different rates. This technique is dependent on the various properties of compounds present in two phases i.e mobile and stationary phases. 

The technique involves dissolving the sample in a specific solvent known as a mobile phase which may be liquid or gas. This specific solvent is then passed over another phase present called a stationary phase. The separation is based upon different speeds at which different components of a mixture travels. 

Types of Chromatography

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Evaporation

Evaporation is a method used to separate either a homogeneous mixture, usually two dissolved salts, or a solution consisting of a soluble solid and a solvent. The process typically involves heating the solution until the organic solvent evaporates and no liquid remains behind as it turns into a gas and leaves behind the solid components.

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Simple Distillation

An effective method used to separate a mixture that consists of two or more, pure or miscible liquids is known as distillation. It is a purification process in which the components of the liquid mixture are first vaporized and then condensed followed by isolation. In simple distillation, when the mixture is heated then the most volatile component vaporizes first at a lower temperature. The vapor moves through a cooled tube (condenser) and is collected after it gets condensed into a liquid state.

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Fractional Distillation

Fraction distillation is a technique used to separate a mixture that comprises two miscible liquids. The process implicates the heating of a liquid up to its boiling point. But, the difference in the boiling points of both the liquids should be less than 25K.

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Centrifugation

Centrifugation is a technique used for the separation of tiny solid particles from a liquid that can easily pass through a filter paper. Centrifugation is used for carrying out the separation of these insoluble particles where normal filtration fails to work well. The centrifugation depends upon the viscosity of the medium, speed of rotation, shape, size, and density of the particle. This technique is based on the principle that lighter particles stay at the top and heavier or denser particles are forced to move at the bottom when spun rapidly. The apparatus used for the centrifugation technique is called a centrifuge. The centrifuge mainly includes a centrifuge tube holder called a rotary. It holds balanced centrifuge tubes that contain an equal amount of solid-liquid mixtures. 

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