Determining the Composition of a Mixture

Determining the Composition of a Mixture

Purpose: To determine the percentage composition of a mixture composed of salt and sand.

Theory:

Elements are the most basic forms of substances. When two or more elements combine together, they create compounds and when multiple compounds combine they create mixtures. There are homogenous mixtures and heterogeneous mixtures. Homogenous mixtures have a composition that is uniform throughout while heterogeneous mixtures have multiple components that retain their own chemical properties.

In this lab, we were given a heterogeneous mixture of salt and sand to separate. In order to do this we used the filtration technique. We placed the filter into the collection container and then a coffee filter on top of that. We then put the salt and sand mixture into the coffee filter and slowly poured water over it to dissolve the salt through the filters and leave the sand.

Safety and Chemical Information:

MSDS-

Sand:

Physical and chemical properties- solid particles of granular mixture, various colors, insoluble

Sodium:

Physical and chemical properties- solid crystalline powder, slight odor, saline taste, white color, 801° C melting point

Glassware and Filtration-

Wear goggles at all times

Do not force glassware together or apart

Procedure:

Find the weight of the salt and sand mixture

Pour water into the mixture in order to dissolve the salt

Find the weight of the salt water and sand mixture

Separate salt water and sand using filtration

Find the sand rocks weight

Find the original containers weight

Subtract the original containers weight and the sand rocks weight from the weight of the salt and sand mixture

Data and Calculations:

-Salt and sand in cup-14.01 g

-plastic cup- 4.59 g

-salt water- 142.64 g

-filter paper- 0.87 g

-rocks in filter paper- 9.03 g

-rocks- 8.16 g

-salt- 1.26 g

-9.03(rocks in