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Year 7 - Science

Separating liquids

Separation techniques

Unit Summary

This unit covers techniques for separating mixtures, including filtration, evaporation, distillation, and chromatography, as well as identifying pure substances. Conduct experiments safely, record observations, evaluate methods, and suggest improvements.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe how a mixture of two liquids can be separated from each other.

Key Notes

  • Immiscible liquids do not mix and if allowed to settle, one will float above the other.
  • Immiscible liquids can be separated by decanting or using a separating funnel.
  • If left, miscible liquids do not separate into layers.
  • The boiling points of liquids can be used to separate miscible liquids by changing states.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • density: Density is a measurement of mass per unit volume; how tightly packed a substance's particles are in a particular space.
  • boiling point: The boiling point of a substance is the temperature at which it changes from a liquid state to a gas state.
  • immiscible: Liquids that are not soluble in another liquid are described as immiscible in that liquid.
  • miscible: Liquids that dissolve in another liquid are described as miscible in that liquid.
  • decanting: Decanting is a process of pouring off the top layer in a mixture of immiscible liquids, or a liquid and insoluble solid.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • If a substance cannot be seen, it has disappeared and is no longer present.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.

Immiscible liquids do not mix and if allowed to settle, one will float above the other. Immiscible liquids can be separated by decanting or using a separating funnel.

2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'density'

Density is a measurement of mass per unit volume; how tightly packed a substance's particles are in a particular space. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.

3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.

Mistake: If a substance cannot be seen, it has disappeared and is no longer present. Correction: Remind pupils of work regarding evaporation and use particle models to describe / explain what a solution of two liquids is like.

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