Question

Which of the following mixture cannot be separated by using a magnet?

• A. a mixture of iron filings and table salt
• B. a mixture of powdered sugar and iron filings
• C. a mixture of aluminium powder and iron filings
• D. a mixture of powdered sugar and sulphur

Answer 1

The correct option is D

a mixture of powdered sugar and sulphur

In a mixture of powdered sugar and sulphur, neither the steel powder nor the sulphur has any magnetic property and therefore cannot be separated by the method of magnetic separation. Whereas, the other three given mixtures have a common component, i.e., iron filings. Iron filings are magnetic in nature and can be easily separated from non-magnetic components by using a magnet.