HYPOTHESIS

What physical properties could be used to separate a mixture of pepper, salt, sand, and iron filings?

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MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT

• 1 small jar
• 3 index cards
• 2 plastic stir sticks
• 1 magnet
• 1 filter paper
• 1 beaker water
• mixture of sand, salt, pepper, iron filings

LAB SAFETY AND PROTOCOL

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PROCEDURE

1. Spread out a small amount of the mixture on one index card.

2. Charge the stir stick with static electricity by rubbing it briskly in your hair. Slowly bring it close to the mixture but do not touch it.

3. Brush off the particles that are separated onto a clean index card. Repeat this several times. What particles did you separate out? ________________________

4. Place the magnet under the index card with the remaining mixture. Slowly pull it to the side.

5. Remove the magnet and brush the separated particles off onto a clean index card. What are they? ________________________

6. Prepare the filter by folding it in quarters.

7. Put the remaining mixture into the jar. Fill the jar half way with water and stir with the clean stir stick.

8. Pour this liquid through the filter into the beaker.

   What is left in the filter? ________________________

   What do you think is in the beaker? ________________________

9. How could you retrieve the remaining solid from this solution?

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CONCLUSION

What physical properties did you use to separate the solids?

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Copyright 1996, D.M.Candelora. All rights reserved. Reproduction for educational use is encouraged.