separation of micture

Question

If you are given a bowl containing a mixtures of 10 gram salt, 90 gram sand and 5 grams of iron filings. How would you proceed to separate the components of the mixture? Design an experiment and write a complete report.

Answer 1

I'm not going to "design" an experiment nor write a complete report, but I will guide you on how to complete the separation.

1.  Remove the iron filing by using a magnet.

2.  Add water to the remaining sand/salt mixture.  The salt (assuming you mean NaCl) will dissolves, leaving the sand as a solid.

3.  Filter the mixture and collect the salt solution that comes through the filter.  Evaporate this to get the salt back as a solid.

4.  The sand will remain on the filter paper.