Question

What are the different methods involved in separating solid-solid mixtures?

Answer 1

Mixture: The substance having two or more elements or compounds which combine physically and not chemically are called mixtures.

When the mixture is made up of two solid substances, any one of the following methods can be used to separate the constituents:

1. By handpicking: The process of separating the constituent particles in the mixture based on the difference in its size or colour using a hand is called hand picking.
2. By using a magnet: The process of separating the solid-solid mixture by using a magnet is called magnetic separation.
3. By sieving: It is used to separate mixtures that contain substances mostly of different sizes. As the mixture passes through the pores of the sieve, the smaller substances easily pass through, leaving the larger substances behind.
4. By the process of sublimation: The process of conversion of a solid substance directly into its vapours on heating and vapour into solid on cooling is called sublimation.
5. By using a suitable solvent: This method is feasible when one of the constituents is soluble in a suitable solvent and the other remains insoluble in that solvent.
6. By fractional crystallization: The process of separating two or more crystalline solids based on the difference in their solubilities in the same solvent is called fractional crystallization.