Separating Salt From Rock Salt

Topic
Separating mixtures

Introduction
A mixture consists of two or more substances mixed together but not chemically combined. We can separate mixtures by physical processes. Mixtures that occur in nature, such as rock salt, have to be separated in order to produce pure products in this case salt. Rock salt contains a mixture of salt (sodium chloride) and other minerals. In this experiment you will use the processes of filtration and evaporation to obtain pure salt.

Time required
45 minutes

Materials
rock salt 100 ml beaker 50 ml measuring cylinder water spatula glass stirring rod funnel filter paper evaporating dish (large enough to hold 30 ml of liquid) Bunsen burner tripod and gauze safety glasses

Safety note
Teacher supervision is necessary. Ensure that students wear safety glasses at all times and do not attempt to peer closely as the salt crystals appear in the evaporating dish. Long hair must be pulled back.

Procedure
1. Measure out 6 heaped spatulas of rock salt and place in the beaker. 2. Measure out 30 ml of water and pour this into the beaker with the rock salt. 3. Stir the mixture of rock salt and water with the glass rod for about 5 minutes. 4. Fold a filter paper in half and then in half again; fit the cone of filter paper inside the funnel. 5. Pour the rock salt and water mixture through the filter paper and allow the liquid filtrate to drip into the evaporating dish. Take care when pouring that you dont fill above the level of the filter paper. 6. Wait until all the liquid has dripped into the evaporating dish.

Diagram Visual Information Ltd.

Published by Facts On File, Inc. All electronic storage, reproduction, or transmittal is copyright protected by the publisher.

1
filter paper funnel

rock salt and water mixture

2
filtrate evaporating dish gauze tripod Bunsen burner

evaporating dish

7. Set up the Bunsen burner and position the tripod and gauze over it. 8. Carefully place the evaporating dish of filtrate on top of the tripod and gauze. 9. Put on your safety glasses, light the Bunsen burner, and begin gently heating the filtrate in the evaporating dish. 10. Keep heating until all the liquid has gone. Keep your face well clear, and keep your safety glasses on at all times. The salt crystals that appear in the dish can sometimes start to spit, and the salt is hot. 11. Record your observations.

Analysis
1. What did the original mixture look like? 2. What did the water that dripped through the filter funnel contain? What is the reasoning behind your answer? 3. Why is it important not to over-fill the filter paper cone? 4. What was left on the filter paper? What is the reasoning behind your answer? 5. What happened as you started to heat the filtrate? 6. What was left behind in the evaporating dish? 7. Think of other examples of mixtures that can be separated using filtration and/or evaporation.

Want to know more?

Click here to view our findings.

Diagram Visual Information Ltd.

Published by Facts On File, Inc. All electronic storage, reproduction, or transmittal is copyright protected by the publisher.

3.07 Separating Salt From Rock Salt

1. The original mixture was a cloudy brown color, containing some large insoluble pieces of material. 2. The water that dripped through the filter funnel contained dissolved sodium chloride (salt). Sodium chloride is a very soluble compound. 3. Over-filling would allow unfiltered liquid to trickle down between the glass funnel and the filter paper and contaminate the filtrate in the dish below. 4. Material such as rock fragments and insoluble minerals remained on the filter paper. None of this material is soluble in water. Also, the particles of these materials are too large to pass through the tiny holes in the filter paper. 5. As the filtrate is heated, the level of the water goes down and steam can be seen coming from the dish. Gradually white salt can be observed around the edge of the dish. Eventually all the water evaporates, leaving white salt crystals in the dish. 6. Pure sodium chloride is left behind in the evaporating dish. 7. Filtration is one of the key stages in sewage treatment and water purification, both of which are essential to public health. Filters are used to remove dust and pollen from the air in airconditioning systems, and from the air entering the carburetors of automobile engines. Evaporation is used to separate gasoline, kerosene, and other fuels and oils from crude petroleum oil. It is also used to extract crystalline sugar from the sugary juice squeezed from sugarcane, and to make juice concentrates from fresh fruit juices.