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Matter and Materials
Quick questions on Separating mixtures: N(T) Science Matter and Materials
5short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is filtering?Show answer
Filtering (also called filtration) separates an insoluble solid from a liquid. An insoluble solid is one that does not dissolve, such as sand in water.
What is evaporation?Show answer
Evaporation separates a dissolved solid from a liquid, for example salt from salty water. A dissolved solid cannot be filtered out because its tiny particles fit through the filter paper.
What is decanting?Show answer
Decanting is simply pouring off a liquid carefully to leave behind a solid that has settled at the bottom. If you let muddy water stand still, the heavier mud sinks to the bottom, and you can gently pour off the clearer water on top. Decanting is quick but not as clean as filtering, because some solid may still be poured off by accident.
What is using a magnet?Show answer
Using a magnet separates a magnetic material from a non-magnetic one. Iron, steel, nickel and cobalt are magnetic; most other materials, including plastic, glass, copper and aluminium, are not.
What is choosing the right method?Show answer
Pick the method from the difference between the substances:
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