Question:
How would you separate the mixtures provided in the given table? Mention the reason for choosing your method. If a mixture cannot be separated, explain why.
| Mixture | Method of Separation | Reason for Selection |
|---|---|---|
| Mud from muddy water | ||
| Plasma from other components in the blood sample | ||
| Naphthalene and sand | ||
| Chalk powder and common salt | ||
| Common salt and water | ||
| Oil from water | ||
| Pigments of the flower |
Answer:
Verified
The mixtures can be separated using different techniques based on the physical properties of their components, such as solubility, density, particle size, and sublimation behaviour.
| Mixture | Method of Separation | Reason for Selection |
|---|---|---|
| Mud from muddy water | Filtration | Mud is insoluble in water. Therefore, muddy water can be separated by filtration, where mud remains as a residue on the filter paper and clean water passes through as the filtrate. |
| Plasma from other components in the blood sample | Centrifugation | On rapid spinning during centrifugation, the heavier blood components settle at the bottom, while the lighter plasma remains as the upper layer. |
| Naphthalene and sand | Sublimation | Naphthalene sublimes on heating, while sand does not. |
| Chalk powder and common salt | Dissolution in water, filtration and evaporation | Common salt dissolves in water, but chalk powder is insoluble. Chalk is removed by filtration, and salt is recovered by evaporation. |
| Common salt and water | Evaporation/ crystallisation | Water evaporates on heating, leaving behind common salt crystals. |
| Oil from water | By using a separating funnel | Oil and water are immiscible liquids of different densities, so they form two distinctly visible layers. |
| Pigments of the flower | Paper chromatography | Different pigments move at different rates on the paper due to differences in solubility and adsorption, so they separate into distinct spots. |