Chapter - 5 (Class-6)

Separation of Substances
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**Pure Substances: Many substances around us contain only one type of constituent
particles. Elements and compounds are pure substances. Some of the pure substances are
iron, copper, water, salt, etc.

**Impure Substances: Substances containing more than one type of constituent particles
are called impure substances. Some of the impure substances are pond water, milk, etc.

**Impurities: These are the unwanted particles present in a substance making it impure.

**What is mixture?
Those substances which are made up of by mixing two or more substances in any ratio is
called mixture. Few examples of mixtures are:

1. Sand and water

2. Milk and water
3. Sugar and water

There are two types of mixtures :-

a. Homogeneous Mixture:- The mixtures in which the particles of the substances
present cannot be seen are called homogeneous mixtures. For example, solution of
sugar and water, air, cold drinks, etc.

b. Heterogeneous Mixture:- The mixtures in which particles of the substances

present can be seen easily are called heterogeneous mixtures. For example, water in
oil, dust in air.

**What is separation of substances?

Separation means to separate the different components of mixture by using different
physical methods. for example Hand picking, Threshing, Winnowing etc.

**Why do we separate substances?

We separate substances because of the following:

1. To separate two different, but useful components.

2. To remove non-useful components.
3. To remove impurities or harmful components.

**Principle of separation

 The substances present in a mixture retain their original properties like particle size,
density, melting point, boiling point, volatility, etc.
 We use the difference in any one of these properties in the components of a mixture
to separate them.
**Describe Methods of Separation.

We will discuss some simple methods of separating substances that are mixed together.

a. Hand Picking :

This method of handpicking can be used for separating slightly larger sized impurities like
the pieces of dirt, stone, and husk from wheat, rice or pulses.

b. Threshing :

The process which is used to separate grain from stalks etc. is called threshing. In this
process, the stalks are beaten to free the grain.Threshing is done with the help of bullocks.
Machines are also used to thresh large quantities of grain

c. Winnowing :

Winnowing is used to separate heavier and lighter components of a mixture by wind or by

blowing air. This method is commonly used by farmers to separate lighter husk particles
from heavier seeds of grain. The separated husk is used as fodder for cattles.

d. Sieving :

This method is used to separate small particle and big particle. This method is used in flour
mill where impurities like husk and stones are removed from wheat before grinding it. This
method is also used at construction sites to separate pebbles and stones from sand.
Sieving is used when components of a mixture have different sizes.
e. Sedimentation and Decantation:

When the heavier component of a mixture settles after water is added to it, this process is
called Sedimentation.

After Sedimentation when the water (along with the dust) is removed, this process is called
decantation.

The same principle is used for separating a mixture of two insoluble liquids. For example,
mixture of oil and water can be separated by this process. If a mixture of such liquids is
allowed to stand for some time, they form two separate layers. The component that forms
the top layer can then be separated by decantation.

f. Filteration :

This process is used to separate two substances(one solid and one liquid) after passing the
mixture through a strainer. for example Tea leaves are separated from the liquid with a
strainer, while preparing tea. Fruit and vegetable juices are usually filtered before drinking
to separate the seeds and solid particles of pulp.

g. Evaporation :

The process of conversion of water into its vapour is called evaporation. This process is used
to separate a mixture of water and salt.

h. Condensation :

The process of conversion of water vapour into its liquid form is called condensation.

**How common salt obtained from sea water?

Sea water contains many salts mixed in it. When sea water is allowed to stand in shallow pits,
water gets heated by sunlight and slowly turns into water vapour, through evaporation. In a
few days, the water evaporates completely leaving behind the solid salts. Common salt is then
obtained from this mixture of salts by further purification.

**What is Solution?
A solution is a homogeneous mixture which is obtained by dissolving one or more solute in a
solvent. for example sugar and water solution, salt and water solution.
**What is Saturated Solution?
A solution in which no more solute can be dissolved at given temperature is called saturated
solution.

**What is Unsaturated Solution?

A solution in which more solute can be dissolved at given temperature is called unsaturated
solution.

**Two ways to convert saturated solution to unsaturated ?

1. By heating the saturated solution.

2. By adding more solute to saturated solution.

**What is Solubility ?
Solubility is the ability of a substance to dissolve in another substance, usually referred to
as a solvent, to create a uniform mixture called a solution.

**What is Sublimation: When a solid directly gets converted into vapour, this process
is known as sublimation.

**What is Magnetic Separation: This is another method of separation which allows

metals (and other articles which are attracted to a magnet) to be separated from a
mixture with the help of a magnetic or by applying a magnetic force to it. For example, a
mixture of salt and iron filings can be separated with the help of a magnet.

NCERT Solutions :-

1. Why do we need to separate different components of a mixture? Give two examples.

When two or more substances are mixed together, they form a mixture. Components of a
mixture should be separated because some components may not be useful or may spoil the
useful component of the mixture.

Examples:
Tea leaves are separated from the liquid with a strainer while preparing tea.
Removal of stone pieces from wheat, rice or pulses by hand.

2. What is winnowing? Where is it used?

The method of separating the components from a mixture is known as winnowing. In this
method, heavier and lighter components of a mixture are separated by wind or by blowing air.
This method is used by farmers to separate lighter husk particles from heavier seeds of
grain.

3. How will you separate husk or dirt particles from a given sample of pulses before
cooking?
Husk and dirt particles are separated from pulses by winnowing.
4. What is sieving? Where is it used?
Sieving is a method in which fine particles are sieved through holes in the sieve while the
bigger impurities remain on the sieve. Sieving is used in a flour mill to separate impurities
like husk and stones from wheat before grinding it. It is also used at construction sites to
separate pebbles and stones from sand.

5. How will you separate sand and water from their mixture?
Sand and water are separated from their mixture by the following steps:
a) The mixture is allowed to stand without any disturbances.
b) Now, sand settles down.
c) Slowly pour the water into another container to obtain sand in the bottom.

6. Is it possible to separate sugar mixed with wheat flour? If yes, how will you do it?
Yes, it is possible to separate sugar mixed with wheat flour by the following method:
a) Mix sugar and wheat flour in water.
b) Stir the solution to allow the sugar to dissolve.
c) Now, filter the mixture.
d) Filtrate contains the sugar solution, and the residue will be wheat flour.

7. How would you obtain clear water from a sample of muddy water?
The following process should be carried out to obtain clear water from muddy water:
i) Allow muddy water to stand.
ii) Mud gets settled down in the water.
iii) Slowly pour water into another container.

8.
(a) The method of separating the seeds of paddy from its stalks is called threshing
(b) When milk, cooled after boiling, is poured onto a piece of cloth, the cream (malai) is left
behind on it. This process of separating cream from milk is an example of filtration
(c) Salt is obtained from seawater by the process of evaporation
(d) Impurities settled at the bottom when muddy water was kept overnight in a bucket. The
clear water was then poured off from the top. The process of separation used in this
example is called decantation

9. (a) A mixture of milk and water can be separated by filtration. (False)

(b) A mixture of powdered salt and sugar can be separated by the process of winnowing
(False)
(c) Separation of sugar from tea can be done with filtration. (False)
(d) Grain and husk can be separated with the process of decantation. (False)

10. Lemonade is prepared by mixing lemon juice and sugar in water. You wish to add ice
to cool it. Should you add ice to the lemonade before or after dissolving sugar? In
which case would it be possible to dissolve more sugar?

Ice should be added to lemonade after dissolving sugar. It is possible to add more sugar
before adding ice.
Solve the following Questions :-
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1. What are pure substances?

2. What is a mixture? Give 5 examples of mixtures?

3. Why do we need to separate different components of a mixture? Explain with example?

4. Name a solid, liquid and a gaseous mixture?

5. State one use of winnowing?

6. Give one use of the hand-picking method of separating mixture?

7. Define the term hay and chaff ?

8. What is threshing?

9. Define the term winnowing?

10. Which method is used to separate grains from stalks?

11. Name the method used to separate husk from wheat?

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