QUIRINO STATE UNIVERSITY

DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino

LABORATORY HIGHSCHOOL

Module 3 Methods of Separating Components of Mixtures and Compounds

Competencies This module will discuss the different methods of separating components of
mixtures and compounds as well as the important laboratory technique and
safety rules that need to observe.
Discussion The earth is full of different mixtures which are present on land, water and air.
These mixtures play important roles in our life because of their uses in the filed
agriculture, health, industries and even to our practical living. However,
substances in their mixture forms are not always the ideal substances for us
based from what we are aiming to get or to do, rather its components are more
important. Thus, a mixture must undergo such process in order to breakdown
its components for our ideal use. This module will discuss the different methods
of separating components of mixtures and compounds as well as the important
laboratory technique and safety rules that need to observe.

LET US HAVE SOME FUN!

Situational Analysis. Analyze the scenario below then answer the corresponding
guide questions

Your plane
suddenly crushed in
an island and
luckily you
survived. The
island is full of
fruit bearing plants but
no source of fresh
water.
Guide Questions 1. What would you do to convert the ocean water into potable
water? How? 2. Which separating method could be used to separate water and
salt from sea water?

Read the description of important terms that you will encounter in this module.
VOCABULARY WORD MEANING
1. Component A part or element of a larger whole.
2. Separate Cause to move or be apart.

Method of Separating Components of Mixtures

If we are to study the meaning of method of separating components of mixtures
and compound, we need to determine first the meaning of important concepts.
First is method which is describe as procedure, process, way or technique.
Second is the separate which means to move, segregate or keep apart. Third is
component which means constituent, section or a part of a larger whole. And
lastly is the word mixture which means a substance produced when two or more
pure substances are put together in any proportion without a chemical union.
Thus, method of separating components of mixtures is a procedure or process of
segregating or moving the constituent or part of a substance which is made up of
two or more pure substances.

What are the Methods of Separating the Components of Mixtures and

Compounds?
Once again, method of separating components of mixtures is a procedure or
process of segregating or moving the constituent or part of a substance which is
made up of two or more pure substances. Sample of a mixture is sea water
because sea water contains both water and salt which are mixed together in
different proportion or amount. Another example is mixture of water
conglomerate which is a mixture of sand, gravel and cement which is used as
construction materials. So, what are the different methods of separating the
components of mixtures and compounds? What are laboratory techniques and

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DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino

LABORATORY HIGHSCHOOL

safety rules that must be observed in performing those methods? Let us find out
the different separating methods.

1. Filtration
It is the process of separating the insoluble solid from the liquid substance by
allowing the liquid to pass through a porous material called filtering agent. The
solid particles which are retained in the filter paper is called residue, and the
clear liquid which passes through a filtering agent such as filter paper is called
the filtrate. In using a filter paper, a glass funnel is used as a support. To
transfer the mixture (liquid) from the beaker into the funnel, you have to mix
thoroughly the mixture using a stirring rod so that no solid substance will be left
behind. A stirring rod may also be used to guide the mixture into the funnel to
avoid spillage especially if the said funnel is too small. See to it also that the
filter paper is not damaged before using it.

2. Decantation
This is a method used to separate the liquid layer known as supernatant and a
heavy insoluble solid known as precipitate by allowing the said solid to settle at
the bottom of the container then the liquid above the solid is poured off carefully
into another container. In decantation process, the mixture is being set aside
and given enough time the precipitate to settle at the bottom of the container
such as a beaker. Unlike the filtration process where you can immediately pour
the mixture into the funnel, you have to wait all the precipitate to settle at the
bottom of the container before the actual pouring can be done. In the
decantation process, you have to pour the liquids into another container very
slowly. A stirring rod may also be used to guide the liquid into another container
to avoid spillage especially if the said container is too small. In checking the
temperature of a container such as beaker, you may use the back part of your
hand to determine it hotness. Do not immediately touch the container

3. Mechanical Separation
This involves
the use of
forceps,
sieves,
magnet
and other
similar
tools to separate
the

components of mixtures. Sand and gravel are separated by passing the mixture
over a wire screen. In the mechanical separation, the involved substances are
mostly solids that can be separated manually. Below is an illustration of a sieve
that separate two solid which are the sand and the gravel. It may look like
filtration, but the device used in this process is not porous.

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DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino

LABORATORY HIGHSCHOOL

4.
Centrifugation
It is the process that uses a motor device known as centrifuge that speeds up
the settling of the precipitate using centrifugal or rotating motion. As the mixture
inside the test tube of the centrifuge is subjected to centrifugal force, the 7
heavier component settles at the bottom and the less dense component settles at
the upper portion. Example of this is the separating the components of blood
which include the plasma, buffy coat and the blood cells. In using the centrifuge,
the number of the test tube inside should have equal distances and the cover of
the centrifuge should be tightly covered to avoid any untoward incident.

5. Distillation
This is a process that involves the evaporation and condensation of a liquid
solvent from a mixture or solution. This method uses the difference in boiling
points of the components of a mixture. The more volatile liquid in the mixture
boils first, evaporates, then condenses. The distillate is the liquid formed from
the condensation of the vapor. Content of the container should always be
checked to avoid drying up of the said container.

6. Chromatography
This process uses the difference in the degrees to which substances are absorbed

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DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino

LABORATORY HIGHSCHOOL

on the surface of an inert substance such as a filter paper. A drop of ink 8 or

extract will be separated into different components if it is placed at the end of a
filter paper and the tip of the paper is allowed to barely touch the solvent.
Separate bands of colors, representing the different components will appear on
the paper. In doing this process, the filter paper should ensure the touching of
the solvent.

7. Electrolysis
This is a chemical decomposition or breakdown produced by passing an electric
current through a liquid or solution containing ions. Example of this is the
separation of oxygen atom to the hydrogen atoms from the water molecules. In
doing this method, the positive and negative electrodes should be submerged
completely in the liquid to effectively separate the ions.

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DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino

LABORATORY HIGHSCHOOL

Enrichment
Activities

Comprehension
Check

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DIFFUN CAMPUS
Diffun, 3401 Quirino

LABORATORY HIGHSCHOOL

References Mendoza E. and Religioso T. (2008). Chemistry Laboratory Manual. Phoenix

Publication Mendoza E. (2003). Chemistry Textbook. Phoenix Publication

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