Question

Suggest separation technique(s) one would need to employ to separate the following mixtures.

(a) Potassium chloride, and ammonium chloride
(b) Common salt, water, and sand

Answer 1

(a) Potassium chloride and ammonium chloride can be separated by Sublimation. It is the process in which a solid changes directly into vapours on heating. Ammonium chloride sublimes leaving behind the potassium chloride.

(b) Common salt, water, and sand can be separated by:

• Filtration can be used to separate sand from the mixture as it is insoluble in water whereas the mixture of sand and common salt passes through filter paper.
• Evaporation can be used separate common salt from water. On heating, water evaporates, leaving behind common salt as the residue.