CSEC CHEMISTRY REVIEW

2 - Separation of Mixtures and Compounds

 OBJECTIVES
• Distinguish between pure
substances, mixtures and
compounds.

• Show examples common

mixtures.

• Discuss the various separation

techniques of mixtures based on
the different properties of the
components.

• Answer CSEC Chemistry

Questions.
WHAT IS A PURE SUBSTANCE ?
• A pure substance is defined as any substance that is made
up of only one type of atom or molecule.

• When talking about pure substances consisting of single

atoms, we often refer to the word “Element”.

• Any matter which cannot be split into a simpler form by a

chemical process is known as an element.

• A list [118] of known and predicted elements can be found

in the Periodic Table of Elements.
TABLE SHOWING THE NAMES OF ELEMENTS
TABLE SHOWING A LIST OF COMMON ELEMENTS IN NATURE

Common Elements in the Earth’s Crust Common Elements Found in Organisms Common Elements Found in the Universe

oxygen (O) carbon (C) hydrogen (H)

silicon (Si) hydrogen (H) helium (He)

aluminium (Al) oxygen (O) oxygen (O)

iron (Fe) nitrogen (N) carbon (C)

calcium (Ca) phosphorus (P)

sodium (Na) sulfur (S)

potassium (K)

magnesium (Mg)

hydrogen (H)
• There are very few, pure elements, that exist naturally
in our every day lives, what we usually interact with
are compounds.

• A compound is formed when two or more elements

are combined together chemically.

• For Example:

• Compounds can also be considered as pure

substances, when they are made up of just one kind
of molecule.
TABLE SHOWING A LIST OF COMMON COMPOUNDS

NB. Pure substances can be identified based on their well defined melting and
boiling points. Impure substances that may be contaminated, typically have lower
M.p. and B.p. than their pure equivalent.
 WHAT IS A MIXTURE ?
• A mixture is a physical blend of two or more
substances (elements or compounds) in the same
space.

• There is no chemical interactions taking place in a

mixture and therefore the components of a
mixture may retain their original properties.

• In a mixture only physical properties like: colour,

size, density and state may be changed.
A mixture can be a combination of substances in
any two phases of matter. What do I mean?

Mixture Example Made Of Image

Zinc + Copper
Solid in Solid Brass
(Metal Alloy)

liquid in Liquid Rum Ethanol in Water

Carbonated Carbon dioxide in

Gas in Liquid
Beverages (Coke) Water

Nitrogen (78%)
Gas is Gas Air
and Oxygen (20%)
SUMMARY MIXTURES VS COMPOUNDS

No. Mixture Compound

The composition (mass) can The composition (mass) is

1 vary. It contains two or more always the same. A single
substances. substance is formed.
The properties are very
Retains the properties of the
2 different from the original
individual components.
components.

No chemical change occurs. A new substance is formed

3
Only physical changes. through a chemical change.

Compounds are very hard

Mixtures can be separated
4 to separate and this can only
quite easily by physical means.
be done by chemical means.
 SEPARATION OF MIXTURES
• Mixtures can be separated in a number of ways and it is important
to know the various separation techniques.

• You may be asked to identify industrial scale separations of mixtures.

Like:

1. Separating the components of crude oil.

2. Separation of pure water from that stored in reservoirs or rain

water collectors.

3. Separation of useful gases such as oxygen (O2) and Nitrogen (N2)

from the atmosphere.
 1. DECANTATION
Decantation is one process used for separating a liquid from an insoluble solid.

It is simple the pouring off of a liquid from a solid that has settled at the bottom of
the container (Precipitate).

We use this method quite other in cooking. Lets say you are washing vegetables or
rice in a bowl of water, when your finished you simple pour off the water.
 2. FILTRATION
Filtration is used to separate a liquid from a suspended or settled
solid e.g. soil or chalk from water.
 3. EVAPORATION
Used for obtaining a solid from a mixture of a solid dissolved in a liquid, e.g. the sodium
chloride (salt) from its solution in sea water can be recovered by exporting all of the water
from the solution leaving the less volatile sodium chloride behind. This process is limited to
substances that do not decompose on heating, and those that do not retain water.
 4. CRYSTALLISATION
Crystallisation is used to separate and retain the solid solute from a solution
especially if the solid contains water of crystallisation, e.g. copper sulphate from
copper sulphate solution.
 5. SEPARATING FUNNEL
To separate a pair of immiscible liquids (liquids that do not dissolve in each other), a
separating funnel can be used. This is a funnel with a stop-cork at the end. E.g. An oil
and water mixture, These two liquids occupy separate layers with the lighter oil on top.
The water is allowed to run out completely and then the oil can then be removed.
 6. CHROMATOGRAPHY
This is a widely used method of separation and it is used to separate several solutes
present in a solution. E.g. dyes, inks, amino acids, sugars and pigments in chlorophyll
There are a few different forms of chromatography but the one that we will focus on
is paper chromatography.
 7. DISTILLATION
This is a process used to separate and retain a pure solvent from a solution. The
solution is boil and the liquid with lower boiling point vaporises, and travels into the
condenser. The vapour then cools and condenses back into a liquid where it is
collected.
OTHER SEPARATION TECHNIQUES
There are other separation techniques that have not been mentioned
that you will need to know about such as:

1. Fractional Distillation (Industrial)

2. Solvent Extraction (Industrial)

3. Centrifuge Separation (Biological & Medical)

 REFERENCES
• (Building Blocks of the World) https://
www.open2study.com/courses/chemistry

• Introduction to Solutions, Solute, and Solvent https://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaNZAyqOeT0

• A Concise Revision Course For CXC - Anne Tindale

• CXC Revision for Chemistry - Comptom Mahase