Question

What are the needs for separation of components of a mixture?

Answer 1

Needs for separation of the components of a mixture:

• To obtain a purified form of a substance: Most of the substances that we get from nature are in the form of a mixture of two or more components. So to get rid of the undesirable substances, the various components of the mixture need to be separated. Example: Rice usually carries husk along with the grains. So husk is separated from rice before cooking.
• To study the various components of mixture: The properties of a mixture are the properties of the components it is formed of. So in order to study the properties of a mixture, the components of the mixture must be studied, and to do so they must be separated.
• To obtain the components which are useful: Some mixtures contain components which are very useful. In order to use them, they are separated from the mixtures. Example: Crude petroleum contains various components like petrol, ether, and kerosene oil which are separated for various useful purposes.

Mixture: When two or more substances (elements or compounds or an element and compound) are mixed in any proportion.

• The components of a mixture can be separated by physical methods of separation like filtration, sieving, etc.
• Example: A mixture of Sand and Iron $\left(\mathrm{Fe}\right)$ can be separated by using a magnet (physical process) where Iron gets attracted to the magnet leaving behind sand.