Question

How are two solid substances separated from a mixture containing two solid substances?

Answer 1

There are some methods that we can use to separate a mixture containing two solids:

1. Hand-picking: It is the technique of manually separating the constituent particles in a mixture based on differences in size or color. For example, Black stones can be picked by hand when mixed with rice grains.
2. Magnetic separation: It is utilizing a magnet to separate a solid-solid mixture. This separation method is only achievable when one of the mixture's parts is magnetic. For example a mixture of Sulphur and iron filings.
3. Sublimation is converting a solid substance into vapors when heated and then back to solid when cooled. For example, a mixture of non-sublimable sand and sublimable Iodine.
4. Sieving: Sieving is a process of separating small particles from larger contaminants by sieving them through holes in a sieve. Ex. separating fine gravel from coarse gravel.
5. Winnowing: Winnowing is the process of using wind to separate the heavier components of a mixture from the lighter components. Ex. Wheat and husk mixture is allowed to fall from a height.