Separating substances
Downloads can take a few minutes, especially for larger files or slower connections.
Threads
Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Separation techniques, where they explored methods like filtration, distillation, and chromatography to separate mixtures based on their physical properties. It deepens their understanding by focusing on the practical application of these techniques to purify substances. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Making salts, where they will apply their knowledge of separation processes to create and purify salts through chemical reactions, reinforcing the link between separation techniques and practical chemistry.
Prior knowledge requirements
- There are three states of matter: solid, liquid and gas
- Changes of state can be achieved by heating or cooling
- Solids, liquids and gases have different properties
- Only gases can be compressed, so gases can have different pressures
- Fluids fill the container they’re in
- Fluids can be poured (they can flow)
- The particle model shows how solids, liquids and gases are organised together
Threads
Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Separation techniques, where they explored methods like filtration, distillation, and chromatography to separate mixtures based on their physical properties. It deepens their understanding by focusing on the practical application of these techniques to purify substances. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Making salts, where they will apply their knowledge of separation processes to create and purify salts through chemical reactions, reinforcing the link between separation techniques and practical chemistry.
Prior knowledge requirements
- There are three states of matter: solid, liquid and gas
- Changes of state can be achieved by heating or cooling
- Solids, liquids and gases have different properties
- Only gases can be compressed, so gases can have different pressures
- Fluids fill the container they’re in
- Fluids can be poured (they can flow)
- The particle model shows how solids, liquids and gases are organised together
Chemistry
Separating substances
This unit explores purification techniques, including filtration, crystallisation, and distillation. It explains formulations, uses chromatographic methods to identify pure and impure substances, and interprets chromatograms with Rf values. The emphasis is on accurate measurements.
12 lessons in unit
slide decks, worksheet PDFs, quizzes and lesson overviews. You can select individual lessons from the Separating substances unit and download the resources you need, or download the entire unit now. See every unit listed in our OCR secondary combined science curriculum and discover more of our teaching resources for OCR secondary combined science programmes.