Separating mixtures
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe what mixtures are and list methods used to separate them.
Key learning points
- A mixture consists of two or more elements and/or compounds not chemically combined together
- Chemical properties of each substance in a mixture remain unchanged
- There are multiple physical processes for separating mixtures
- Melting point data can be used to distinguish between pure substances and mixtures
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.
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.
Teacher tip
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.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In chemistry, what distinguishes a compound from an element?
Q2.Order the states of matter from most to least freedom of movement:
Q3.Which is only a characteristic of a chemical change (compared to a physical change)?
Q4.What defines an element in chemistry?
Q5.What property measures how much matter is in a substance?
Q6.In chemistry, chemicals refer to substances that only contain one type of fundamental unit, like an atom or molecule.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the following terms with their correct definitions.
A material with two or more different substances physically combined.
To extract and isolate a substance from a mixture.
A feature or characteristic of a substance.
Q2.Which of these is a true statement about mixtures?
Q3.The melting point data of a substance can help distinguish a pure substance from a...
Q4.Which of the following is not a correct use of the term 'pure' in scientific context?
Q5.Order the following steps used in separating a mixture. Start by identifying the components.
Q6.In a mixture, the chemical of each substance remains unchanged.
To help you plan your 10 chemistry lesson on: Separating mixtures, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 chemistry lesson on: Separating mixtures, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 chemistry lessons from the Separating substances unit, dive into the full secondary chemistry curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.