Chem Lab - Separation of Sand and Salt Mixtures

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Mass of Clean and dry Beaker #1: 51.12 g

Mass of Sand and Salt mixture before separation: 74.32 g – 51.12 g = 23.21 g

Identical methods were used to determine the mass of the isolated sand and salt mixtures.

To calculate the mass of the sand after isolation, we had to subtract the Mass of Beaker #2 with the dry sand and the mass of the dry Beaker #2:

Mass of Beaker #2 with dry sand: 99.85 g

Mass of dry Beaker #2: 92.99 g

Mass of Isolated Sand: 99.85 g – 92.99 g = 6.86 g

To calculate the mass of the salt after isolation, we had to subtract the Dry filter paper with the sand and the mass of the filter paper:

Mass of the Dry Filter Paper with sand: 16.07 g

Mass of the Dry Filter Paper: 1.11 g

Mass of the Isolated Salt: 16.07 g – 1.11 g = 14.96 g

To determine the group’s ability to carefully preform the lab, we calculated the percent of isolated salt and sand mixture compared to their mass that they were originally mixed together:

Total Mass of Isolated Sand: 6.86 g + 14.96 g = 21.82 g

Original Mass of the Salt and Sand Mixture: 23.21 g

Percent Mass of Original Components Maintained After Isolation: [pic 1]

Conclusion:

This lab activity had helped us better understand how to separate mixtures and the processes to do it. According to the data, 94.01% of the original mass maintained after separation, and therefore it was a valid to say that our group’s methods are more than sufficient. The transfer from Beaker #1 to the filtration system was almost perfect, except for the small amount of mixture had spilled. This was evident as it was seen spilled on the table. The less amount of water being evaporated during the heating of Beaker #2 was where we lost the 5.99% of the original mass. This was evident because as we took the Beaker off the heat pad the salt was not completely solidified and was still a little slippery and wet in the glass. To limit these errors we could have been more careful and left the Beaker on the heat pad for a little while longer. Regardless of these errors, the group was still able to achieve a successful lab. This lab was very interesting as we got to see the lab table move up (very cool) and we got to see a visual about what was talked about during class which was different from hearing about it during class by the teacher.