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New
Year 10
Edexcel
Foundation

Separating mixtures

I can describe what mixtures are and list methods used to separate them.

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New
New
Year 10
Edexcel
Foundation

Separating mixtures

I can describe what mixtures are and list methods used to separate them.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A mixture consists of two or more elements and/or compounds not chemically combined together
  2. Chemical properties of each substance in a mixture remain unchanged
  3. There are multiple physical processes for separating mixtures
  4. Melting point data can be used to distinguish between pure substances and mixtures

Common misconception

Pupils mistake common (everyday) usage of pure (i.e. pure orange juice) as being a pure substance when it is, in fact, a mixture.

'Everyday' usage refers to one source whereas scientific usage refers to particle composition.

Keywords

  • Mixture - A mixture is a material that contains two or more different substances that can be physically separated.

  • Separate - In chemistry, to separate something is to extract and isolate a substance from a mixture.

  • Property - A property is a feature or characteristic of a substance that can be used to classify it or describe how it behaves.

Try creating a circus practical of simple mixtures and challenge pupils to identify the properties of the components that could be exploited to isolate each component.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Equipment requiring safe usage.

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In chemistry, what distinguishes a compound from an element?
Correct answer: Compounds can be broken down into simpler chemicals.
Compounds are always liquid at room temperature.
Elements contain multiple types of atoms.
Elements are always gases.
Q2.
Order the states of matter from most to least freedom of movement:
1 - Gas
2 - Liquid
3 - Solid
Q3.
Which is only a characteristic of a chemical change (compared to a physical change)?
change in state
increase in temperature
Correct answer: formation of a new substance
change in mass
Q4.
What defines an element in chemistry?
a mixture of compounds
a substance with varying properties
Correct answer: a substance made of one type of atom
any solid material
Q5.
What property measures how much matter is in a substance?
Correct Answer: mass, Mass
Q6.
In chemistry, chemicals refer to substances that only contain one type of fundamental unit, like an atom or molecule.
Correct Answer: pure, Pure

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the following terms with their correct definitions.
Correct Answer:Mixture,A material with two or more different substances physically combined.

A material with two or more different substances physically combined.

Correct Answer:Separate,To extract and isolate a substance from a mixture.

To extract and isolate a substance from a mixture.

Correct Answer:Property,A feature or characteristic of a substance.

A feature or characteristic of a substance.

Q2.
Which of these is a true statement about mixtures?
Mixtures have fixed melting points.
Components in a mixture lose their original properties.
Correct answer: Mixtures can be separated by physical methods.
Mixtures are substances with uniform composition.
Each component in a mixture forms new chemical bonds.
Q3.
The melting point data of a substance can help distinguish a pure substance from a...
Correct Answer: mixture, Mixture
Q4.
Which of the following is not a correct use of the term 'pure' in scientific context?
Pure water
Pure carbon dioxide
Correct answer: Pure air
Pure gold
Q5.
Order the following steps used in separating a mixture. Start by identifying the components.
1 - Identification of the components.
2 - Determining the best separation method.
3 - Applying a physical separation method.
4 - Collection of the separate components.
Q6.
In a mixture, the chemical of each substance remains unchanged.
Correct Answer: properties, property