Separation techniques
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Threads
Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Properties, changes and separating materials, where they explored material properties and methods of separation. It focuses on techniques like filtration, evaporation, and distillation to separate mixtures based on their properties. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Understanding chemical reactions, where they will apply this knowledge to explore how substances interact and change during chemical reactions, deepening their understanding of material behaviour.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Some materials change state when they are heated or cooled.
- Some materials will dissolve in liquids to form a solution, and how to recover a substance from a solution.
- Dissolving is a reversible state.
- Use knowledge of solids, liquids and gases to decide how mixtures might be separated.
Threads
Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Properties, changes and separating materials, where they explored material properties and methods of separation. It focuses on techniques like filtration, evaporation, and distillation to separate mixtures based on their properties. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Understanding chemical reactions, where they will apply this knowledge to explore how substances interact and change during chemical reactions, deepening their understanding of material behaviour.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Some materials change state when they are heated or cooled.
- Some materials will dissolve in liquids to form a solution, and how to recover a substance from a solution.
- Dissolving is a reversible state.
- Use knowledge of solids, liquids and gases to decide how mixtures might be separated.
Chemistry
Separation techniques
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.
7 lessons in unit
slide decks, worksheet PDFs, quizzes and lesson overviews. You can select individual lessons from the Separation techniques unit and download the resources you need, or download the entire unit now. See every unit listed in our secondary science curriculum and discover more of our teaching resources for secondary science programmes.