There are mixtures that are true solutions, that is, homogeneous. Others are not. Suspensions are mixtures from which some particles will settle slowly upon standing. In this activity, you will prepare mixtures. Then, you will try to separate the parts by applying simple processes.
Materials: salt iron filings sand and gravel/pebbles soil filter paper funnel 150 mL tap water in a 250 mL beaker stirring rod sieve or mesh wire petri dish magnet plastic cup 2 beakers/containers basin
PROCEDURE: Note: As you perform the procedure, write down your observations right away in the section on OBSERVATIONS/DISCUSSION
A. Soil and water 1. Stir ! tbsp. soil in 150 mL tap water. What do you observe? 2. Let the mixture stand, i.e., do not disturb for about 10 minutes. 3. Now, you are ready to separate the mixture. Pour out carefully the clear portion (supernatant) in a clean beaker. The procedure you just did is called decantation.
B. Salt and iron filings 1. Mix a half spatula of salt and a half spatula of iron filings in a petri dish. Observe the mixture. 2. Pass a magnet through the mixture and observe what happens.
C. Gravel/Pebbles and Sand 1. Mix a " cup of gravel/pebbles and " cup of sand. 2. Pass the mixture through a sieve or mesh wire with a basin to catch. Observe which material passes through and which material does not.
D. Salt and Sand 1. Mix one teaspoonful of salt with one spatulaful of sand. 2. Put water in a beaker until it is half-filled. 3. Pour the mixture of salt and sand into the water and stir for a few minutes. Observe what happens. 4. Make a cone out of the filter paper and put it on the funnel. 5. Hold the funnel and pour the mixture into the filter paper and let the liquid pass through. Use a separate beaker to catch the liquid. Observe which substance remains on the filter paper. 6. Devise a way to separate the materials in the liquid portion.
OBSERVATIONS/DISCUSSION:
A. Soil and water
1. Did you observe suspended particles in the supernatant?
Reference: Ahito, A., Boac, A., & Mahinay, E. (2007). Science and Life: Grade 6 (revised edition). Makati: Salesiana Books. Martin, P.R. (2004). Chemistry, Connecting with Science. Makati: Salesiana Publishers, Inc.