Sieving and Filtration

A substance is described as a mixture if it contains different substances mixed together and not chemically joined. Examples include orange juice, a chocolate chip cookie, ice cream, pebblecrete.

Mixtures can be separated using physical processes based on their properties like particle size, boiling point and if they are magnetic or not.

Title: Filtration of Chalk and Copper Sulfate Solution

Aim: To investergate what is soluble and what is insoluble

Equipment list:

• 50ml beaker

• Stiring rod

• Filter paper

• Filter funnel

• Conical flask

• Petri dish

• Chalk powder mixed with blue copper sulfate

• Blue copper sulfate

• Water

Method: 

1. Get out the equipment

2. Fill a small beaker with 30ml - 40ml

3. Stir a heaped teaspoon of copper sulfate into water

4. Add the chalk powder and mix

5. Place funnel in the connical flask

6. Fold filter paper into a cone shape and place in funnel

7. Pour mixture into funnel, slowly, do not overfill!!!

8. Leave mixture to filter

9. Identify residue and filtrate in conical flask

10. Pour a small amount of filtrate into a petri dish and leave on a windowsill for a couple of days

Safety:

• Copper sulfate is toxic, do not ingest, wash hands after handling

• In case of glassware breakage, use dustpan/brush and place in sharps bin

Results:

• Copper sulfate is soluble in water - turned the liqued from clear to blue

• Chalk is insoluble - did not dissolve in water

Discussion:

Conclusion: