How will you separate a mixture of camphor, sand and salt?
Open in App
Solution
To separate the components from a mixture, sometimes more than one technique is used at various stages.
Step 1: Sublimation
On heating a mixture of camphor, sand and salt, camphor changes its state from solid to gas without turning into liquid.
The change of state from solid to gas without turning into liquid is called sublimation. A mixture of sand and salt is left behind.
After condensation of camphor vapour we will get camphor again.
Step 2: Sedimentation and decantation
The mixture of sand and salt is mixed in water. Sand being heavier than water settles down as sediment. The water forms a clear layer at the top. Salt dissolves in water.
The process of settling the heavy solids at the bottom is a mixture of liquid and an insoluble solid is called sedimentation.
The removal of the clear layer of the liquid without disturbing the settled solid is called decantation.
Therefore sand is removed by sedimentation process and the water is collected in a separate container by decantation process.
Step 3: Evaporation
Now the mixture of salt and water is heated till all the water evaporates. The salt particles are left behind.
Evaporation is the process by which solid particles are separated from a solution.
In evaporation, the solution is heated till all the solvent evaporates and the dry solid particles are left behind.
