Question

Can a miscible liquid mixture be separated with the help of a separating funnel?

Answer 1

No, we cannot separate the miscible liquid by using a separating funnel.

Separating funnel:

• This technique is used to separate the immiscible liquids by identifying the layers in the funnel.
• Denser liquid sink bottom whereas lighter liquid float on it.
• We can drain the denser liquid which sinks in the bottom at first up to the layer formed there.

Miscible liquid: Two liquids that completely dissolve into one another. Miscible liquids can mix together easily with each other. For example water and ethanol.

• When water and alcohol are mixed they completely mix or dissolve into each other.
• A separating funnel works only for two immiscible liquids. Immiscible liquids are liquids that do not mix with each other completely.
• Layer formation can be seen in the mixture in which denser liquid will settle at the bottom and lighter liquid will float above the surface of the mixture.
• For example mixture of oil and water. Oil being lighter will float above the surface of the mixture and water being denser will form the lower layer.

Therefore, no, it is not possible for miscible liquid mixture to be separated with the help of a separating funnel.