Chemistry Module 6 Separation of a Mixture of Solid

Abstract:
This lab experiment was conduct and taught based upon the primary instruction and introduction to mixtures. With this lab I was able to determine and execute the proper separation of a mixture of solids through various means, such as evaporation and filtration. Using these techniques presented the separation of different ingredients from a mixture was conducted based upon the usage of individual physical properties of each substance presented in the mixture. .

Observations: Throughout this experiment I noted several things. For example as I was heating the sand I completely forgot to cover the top to prevent splatter. Although I did heat the mixture at a much slower speed, this resulted in a loss of sample, further impacting my overall results and contributing to my percent error totals, as the sand was bubbling and slightly splattered. Also, I noted my stirring rod, along with the other tools used, had a bit of solution attached to them. Although minuet in amount I should have weighed and taken note upon the mass of my materials before and after the procedures.

Data Table 1: Experiment Data

Grams
Percent of mixture
Iron filings

2.2 grams
30.56 %
Sand

1.3 grams
18.06 %

Table salt

1.5 gram
20.83%
Benzoic acid

1.1 gram
15.28 %
Total

6.1 grams
84.73%

Questions:
A. How did your proposed Procedures or flow charts at the beginning of this experiment compare to the actual Procedures of this lab exercise?
B. Discuss potential advantages or disadvantages of your proposed Procedure compared to the one actually used.
C. How would you explain a sand recovery percentage that is higher than the original sand percentage? D. What were potential sources of error in this experiment?

A.) The methods I proposed were highly similar to the instructions used in the labpaq manual. Just as stated in the instructions, I would have used the magnet to separate iron fillings, but I would have thought lastly upon evaporation for the sand separation and used the filter.
B.) A potential disadvantage of simply filtering out the sand, is that fact that the benzoic acid substance, that was not completely dissolved could have too be filtered out. Also in the filtering of iron with the magnet I would have never thought to use a bag.
C.) I could explain a sand recovery percentage that was higher than that of the original sand percentage, as simply a contamination of the other substances left within the sand, such as if the sand were not completely dry as there would still be water that would be included in the measured value, or possibly the benzoic acid?
D.) The potential sources of error found in this experiment could include the was heating the sand I completely forgot to cover the top to prevent splatter, removing the mixture out of the ice before adequate crystallization had occurred,. Possibly having the sand, NaCl, or benzoic acid sticking to the iron, also maybe incomplete drying.

How did your flow diagram for completing the separation compare to what was really done in the experiment? Were there any advantages or disadvantages to performing the separation the way you first thought it out? Discuss these advantages and disadvantages in the context how the approach might affect the measurement of some of the materials you separated.

My flow diagram thought out prior to the conducting of this experiment was carried out well. The methods I proposed were highly similar to the instructions used in the labpaq manual. Just as stated in the instructions, I would have used the magnet to separate iron fillings, but I would have thought lastly upon evaporation for the sand separation and used the filter. I thought it was rather obvious to use the magnet for the iron filings, but really did not have an educated guess for how to separate the rest. A potential disadvantage of simply filtering out the sand, is that fact that the benzoic acid substance, that was not completely dissolved could have too be filtered out. Also in the filtering of iron with the magnet I would have never thought to use a bag. All together these simple differences, although minuet could have greatly altered my results and manipulated the entire data table.