Separating a Mixture of Compounds

I.Purpose

The purpose of this experiment is to separate three components; SiO₂, NaCl, and NH₄Cl through Sublimation, filtration and evaporation to determine the mass and mass percentage of each component.

II.Experimental Method

EquipmentChemicals
Evaporating DishPowdered Mixture A
2 50ml beakerWater
Balance
Thermometer
Bunsen burner

III.Raw Data and Calculations

Mass of empty evaporating dish76.00g
Mass of evaporating dish + powder mixture sample86.00g
Mass of the sample10.00g

Sublimation of Ammonium Chloride (NH Cl):
Mass of evaporating dish and the remaining sample after sublimation 84.

778g
Mass of NH₄Cl in the sample1.222g

Filtration of Sand (SiO):
Mass of empty beaker85.00g
Mass of beaker with the SiO₂ after decanting91.158g
Mass of the SiO₂6.158g

Sodium Chloride (NaCl) Content and Evaporation:
Mass of NaCl of other components2.62g
Measured mass of NaCl after boiling away water87.62g

Mass of NH₄Cl = mass of evaporating dish and remaining contents after sublimation – mass of evaporating dish plus the powder mixture sample
1.222g = 84.778g – 86.00g

Mass of SiO₂ = mass of beaker with SiO₂ after decanting – mass of empty beaker
6.158g = 91.158g – 85.00g
Mass of NaCl = NH Cl + SiO – initial sample mass
2.62g = 1.222g + 6.158g = 7.38g – 10g

% difference = [(measured mass) – (mass by subtraction)] / (mass by subtraction) * 100%
3.24% = 87.62g -2.62g = 85.00g/2.62g * 100%

Mass Percentage = mass component / 10g sample * 100
NH₄Cl1.222g / 10g * 100 = 12.22%
SiO₂6.158g / 10g * 100 = 61.58%
NaCl2.62g / 10g * 100 = 26.2%

IV.Results

Component Mass Percentage
% NH₄Cl12.22%
% SiO₂61.58%
% NaCl26.2%

V.Conclusion
Based on the experimental results, the preferred method of separation is Sublimation of Ammonium Chloride (NH Cl) which calculated as the lowest mass percentage.

Also proves that not all of the components can be separated through sublimation.