Q123P - Chemistry: Molecular Nature Of Matter And Change

Question

Which separation method is operating in each of the following procedures: (a) pouring a mixture of cooked pasta and boiling water into a colander; (b) removing colored impurities from raw sugar to make refined sugar; (c) preparing coffee by pouring hot water through ground coffee beans?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The separation technique can be illustrated,

(a) Filtration: Filteration is described as a procedure of separating solid particles from a liquid by using a filter or a membrane.

 (b) Extraction: Extraction is a procedure of removing a compound from a mixture by employing a solvent.

(c) Filtration and extraction:

a. Step 1: Finding the separation technique for pouring a mixture of cooked pasta and boiling water into a colander

The water and pasta differ in the size of their particulates, meanwhile, a colander acts as a filter and the separation technique used is filtration.

b. Step 2: Finding a separation technique for removing colored impurities from raw sugar to make refined sugar

The colored impurities can be removed from raw sugar by extraction. The dissolution of sugar in water and the impurities can be filtered using a sugar solution.

c. Step 3: Finding the separation technique for preparing coffee by pouring hot water through ground coffee beans

The coffee beans can be separated from the coffee extract by using the filtration technique. The coffee extract can be extracted from the coffee beans by water using extraction.