EXPLORING DIVERSITY OF

MATTER
SEPARATION TECHNIQUES
Learning outcomes
In this chapter, you will learn:
a) What are the different types of separation techniques?
b) How can the substances of a mixture be separated based on their physical
properties?
c) What are some applications of separation techniques in everyday life?

Purification of drugs
and medication
What is the purpose of separating mixtures?
1) Obtain useful substances Separation of crude oil into
Mixtures such as air and crude oil may its respective components
contain useful substances.
Separating such mixtures enable us to
obtain useful substances for our daily
needs.

Oil refinery at Pulau Bukom

What is the purpose of separating mixtures?
2) Obtain pure substances
There are situations in our lives where the purity of a substance is important.
For instance, the medicine we consume needs to be pure. Unwanted substances
might be produced during the manufacturing process. Consumption of these
impurities might lead to harmful effects and even death.
What defines physical separation techniques?
Physical separation techniques allow us
water containing
to separate mixtures.
sediments
Chemical reactions are not involved as
no new substances are produced in these
techniques.
rocks
The original substances are obtained at the coarse sand
end of the process. charcoal
fine sand

Purification of water using cloth

physical separation technique:
Filtration clean water
Types of separation techniques

Separation Techniques

Magnetic Evaporation Simple Paper

Filtration
attraction to dryness distillation chromatography

The technique used to separate mixtures depends on:

Physical properties of substances present
Substances to be obtained from the mixture
 Separation Techniques

Magnetic Evaporation Simple Paper

Filtration
attraction to dryness distillation chromatography
separates
magnetic
and non-
magnetic
substances
Magnetic attraction
Magnetic attraction is used to separate magnetic materials from non-
magnetic materials.
Magnetic attraction makes use of the fact that only some materials
are attracted to magnets.
Examples of magnetic materials are iron, steel, nickel and cobalt.

Using magnetic attraction

to separate a mixture of
iron filings and sulfur.
Application of magnetic attraction
Waste Management: Salvaging of iron and steel
Iron and steel are recovered from junkyards so that these metals can be
recycled since they are limited natural resources. They are then reused to
make new objects.
Step 2: When the magnet is
switched off, iron and steel are
dropped into a collection bin.
The metals are then sold and
brought to recycling centres.

Step 1: A powerful magnet

is used to separate iron and Step 3: Iron and steel are
steel from other materials reused in new objects.
in a junkyard.
Application of magnetic attraction
In Food Safety: Food processing
We use magnets to remove harmful objects from food.
Step 2: Food is placed in magnetic
separators that detect and remove
any metal pieces in the food.

Step 1: During food Step 3: Removal of metal

processing, metal pieces pieces keeps the food
may accidentally get clean and makes it safe
into food products. to be eaten. The food is
Metal pieces are further processed before
removed from food being sold in shops.
 Separation Techniques

Magnetic Evaporation Simple Paper

Filtration
attraction to dryness distillation chromatography
separates

insoluble
solid from
a liquid
Filtration
Filtration is the technique used to separate an insoluble solid from
the liquid in a solid-liquid mixture.
In a suspension, the insoluble solids are larger in size than the liquid
particles.
Hence, we can use filtration to separate insoluble solids from the liquid.

We can use filtration to obtain

the larger sand particles from
the mixture of sand and water.
Filtration
How filtration works? glass rod

A suspension is passed through the filter

residue
paper as shown. solid
(residue)
The filter paper has tiny pores that
allow the smaller liquid particles to
filter paper
pass through while trapping the larger pores
filter funnel
solid particles. The trapped solid filtrate
particles that remain on the filter paper
is called the residue. liquid
(filtrate)
The liquid that passes through the filter
paper is called the filtrate.
Application of filtration in daily life
Coffee makers
Filter paper is placed in the The filter paper separates
filter cone. Water is then the ground coffee from the
poured into the filter cone. liquid coffee.
Application of filtration in daily life
Tea strainer Fish tank filter
A tea strainer is used to A fish tank filter
separate tea leaves from the separates solid fish
tea liquid. waste from tank water.
Tea leaves are retained by
the strainer while the tea
liquid passes through the
holes in the strainer.
Application of filtration in industries
Water treatment
Water from our reservoirs is purified
before it can be used for drinking.
Filtration is part of the purification
process as it is a relatively cost-
saving technique.
Step 1: Raw water from
the reservoir is treated
with chemicals to kill
germs and bacteria.
Step 2: Water is filtered
through layers of sand
beds which contain sand
grains of different sizes.
Solid silt and sand
particles is retained by
the filters while clean
water flows out.
Application of filtration in our bodies
Some parts of our bodies also use filtration to control the types of substances
entering and leaving our bodies.
Nose hairs Kidneys
Nose hairs in our nostrils help to Our kidneys function as a filter
filter the air entering our lungs, for our blood, removing wastes
tapping the dust particles. and extra water to make urine.
nose hairs
 Separation Techniques

Magnetic Evaporation Simple Paper

Filtration
attraction to dryness distillation chromatography
separates

solute from
solvent
Evaporation to dryness
Evaporation to dryness is the technique used to separate dissolved
solid (solute) from a solution.
Evaporation to dryness
Evaporation makes use of the fact that the solvent in to remove water from
salt solution
a solution can vapourise at any temperature, leaving
behind a residue of the solid that was dissolved in
the liquid.
Evaporation to dryness is a separation
technique that removes all the solvent
in the solution.
dry sample of
salt remains
Evaporation to dryness (non-flammable solvent)
If a solution is made of a non-flammable solvent (e.g. water), the solution can
be heated directly over a flame.
evaporating dish
Salt solution is placed in an salt solution
evaporating dish and heated.

The solvent, water will completely tripod stand

evaporate and be removed. Bunsen
burner

The solid salt left behind is the residue.

salt (residue)
Evaporation to dryness (flammable solvent)
If a solution is made of a flammable solvent (e.g. alcohol), the solution cannot
be heated directly over a flame. It is heated over a water bath instead.

sugar
sugar and
alcohol solution
evaporating dish

water bath

wire gauze

tripod stand
Application of evaporation to dryness
Production of salt from seawater
In some parts of the world, where The heat from the sun evaporates
temperatures are high, seawater the water, leaving the salt behind.
is allowed to flow into large flat The salt is then piled into heaps to
pans called salt pans. dry.
Application of evaporation to dryness
Food preservation
Water is essential for decomposition.
Drying of fish
To preserve food, water is removed
in Sri Lanka
through evaporation.
This is commonly used in the
production of dried food.
Vacuum oven is used
commercial to dry food

dried fruits dried squid

 Separation Techniques

Magnetic Evaporation Simple Paper

Filtration
attraction to dryness distillation chromatography
separates

solvent from
solutes
Simple distillation
Simple distillation is a process that separates solvent from solutes
through boiling and condensation.
A mixture is boiled and the
solvent in the mixture changes into condensation of
a vapour. the vapour occurs

The vapour is subsequently

condensed and then collected.
mixture
is boiled condensed vapour
is collected
 Simple distillation set-up
Step 1: The mixture (salt solution)
thermometer
is heated in a round-bottom flask
until it boils.
The solvent (water) changes into
a vapour.
round-bottom flask
mixture (salt solution)
boiling chips
Note: Boiling chips are used to
smoothen the boiling process.
Step 2: The water vapour
passes into the condenser
where it condenses.
water out
Step 3: The pure water
water in collected in a conical flask
is called the distillate.
The solute (salt) remains
in the round-bottom flask.
condenser
conical flask
distillate (pure water)
Apparatus involved in simple distillation
The direction of water flow through the
thermometer condenser ensures that the condenser is
constantly completely filled with water
for more efficient cooling.
water out

condenser
round-bottom flask
mixture
boiling chips
water in conical flask

distillate
Application of simple distillation
Using a solar still to obtain drinking water
Water from the ground and vegetation rock weight
plastic sheet
evaporates into water vapour.
The water vapour condenses on the cool
underside of the plastic sheet, which then water
droplets
collects in the container. The water in the
container is safe for drinking.
vegetation
creates moisture

container
Application of simple distillation
Making perfumes and food flavourings
Plant parts such as leaves or petals are boiled in water. The vapour is collected as the
distillate and made into perfumes and essential oils.
Application of simple distillation
Desalination of seawater

Interior of a desalination plant

in Singapore
Singapore’s 4th
desalination plant
in Marina East
 Separation Techniques

Magnetic Evaporation Simple Paper

Filtration
attraction to dryness distillation chromatography
separates

substances with
different solubilities in
a solvent
Paper chromatography
Paper chromatography is the technique used to separate a mixture
based on the extent of the solubility of different components in a
solvent.
Substances that are more soluble in the
solvent travel longer distances from the
starting point.
Substances that are insoluble in the
solvent will remain at the starting point.
Procedure for paper chromatography
 A spot of ink is placed at the bottom of
the strip of chromatography paper.
 The strip is dipped into a suitable
chromatography
solvent such as water. paper
 The solvent dissolves the substances
in the ink and travels up the paper
together.
ink spot
 The different substances in the ink will
travel different distances based on their solvent (water)
different solubilities in the solvent.
Procedure for paper chromatography
 The yellow dye is most soluble
and travels the longest distance,
followed by the green dye and solvent front
then the red dye.
 The paper with the different
coloured spots is called a
chromatogram.
chromatogram

Note: The solvent front is the

maximum height reached by solvent.
Paper chromatography

chromatography paper
solvent front
ink spot

start line
(drawn in pencil)
solvent
(ethanol or water)
Start End
Applications of paper chromatography
Chromatography can be used to
identify the contents in the
mixture and test for the purity
of a substance.

Paper chromatography is useful as:

 it gives quick results
 it works with just a small amount Separation of plant pigments
of the mixture. through paper chromatography
Applications of paper chromatography
Food safety
Paper chromatography can be used to identify
the presence of harmful colourings in food.

Identifying dyes used in ink

Paper chromatography can be used to find out the
different kinds of dyes that make up different inks
(in cases where we need to identify forged written
documents).
Applications of paper chromatography
Testing of urine and blood samples
Chromatography is used in sports to test urine and blood samples of athletes
for prohibited performance enhancing drugs.
 Summary

Separation Techniques

Magnetic Evaporation Simple Paper

Filtration
attraction to dryness distillation chromatography
separates separates separates separates separates
magnetic
insoluble substances with
and non- solute from solvent from
solid from different solubilities in
magnetic solvent solute
a liquid a solvent
substances
Selecting the right separation technique
Is the solid
soluble?
YES NO

What do you Filtration

want to collect?

Solute Solvent

Evaporation Simple
to dryness distillation
Singapore’s Four National Taps
Water is essential for life,
used in industries, homes
and recreational purposes.

Singapore needs to have reliable water supplies to meet our national

needs. We have 4 sources of water known as the Four National Taps.
1 2 3 4
Singapore’s Four National Taps
Rainwater from local catchment and imported water
In Singapore, rainwater collected from drains, canals and rivers are
channelled to 17 reservoirs for storage. Singapore also imports water
from Johor, Malaysia.
Rainwater and imported water are both chemically treated, filtered and
disinfected, making the water safe for drinking.

Bedok Reservoir Pipes transporting

water from Johor
NEWater
NEWater
NEWater is ultra-clean, high grade
recycled water.
It is obtained by treating used water
with a three-step process:
1. Microfiltration
2. Reverse osmosis
3. Ultra-violet disinfection
NEWater
NEWater: Microfiltration
This technique removes small particles from the treated sewage water by
passing water through a membrane filter.

A membrane filter (with tiny pores) The water obtained from microfiltration
traps suspended solids and most contains mainly dissolved salts and
disease-causing micro-organisms. chemical molecules.
 ENRICHMENT
Comparing microfiltration and reverse osmosis
NEWater: Reverse osmosis
USED WATER PURIFIED WATER
The water obtained from The water obtained from
microfiltration is pumped reverse osmosis is free
at high pressure through from bacteria and viruses.
a partially permeable It contains trace amounts
membrane. of dissolved salts and
chemical molecules.

The pores of the membrane very small allowing

only very small molecules to pass through.
NEWater: Ultraviolet disinfection
This is the last stage of the water treatment process.
It is conducted by passing the water through the ultra-violet (UV) light to ensure
that any remaining organisms, including bacteria and viruses, are inactivated.

Bacteria being destroyed by UV light

Desalination of seawater
Seawater is non-potable as it contains a lot of salt.
Desalination is the process of obtaining pure drinking water from
seawater.

Tuas desalination plant

Desalination of seawater
There are 2 main methods of desalination:
1. Distillation
2. Reverse osmosis

Distillation
Distillation is a technique used to
carry out desalination. It is not
widely used even in Singapore
as it is expensive and needs a
lot of heat energy.
Desalination of seawater
Reverse osmosis
Singapore currently uses reverse osmosis pressure
for its desalination to make seawater exerted
drinkable.
This process produces pure drinking drinking seawater
water by pushing seawater through water
membranes to remove dissolved salts
and minerals.
partially permeable
membrane
Desalination of seawater
Conservation of water
Water is an important but scarce resource. Conservation of water
ensures an adequate supply of water in the future.
Ways to conserve water
Reduce: Wash clothes on
full load using a water-
efficient washing machine

Reduce: Wash the car

with water from pail Reuse: Water plants using
instead of a hose. water that was used to
wash fruits and vegetables.