Chemistry
Separation of mixtures
Class 6
Beginner
About 10 min
Premium
Separating iron filings from sand with a magnet
Mix sand and iron filings, then use a magnet to pull the iron out. Find out why a magnet cannot separate salt from sand.
Core concept
In short: Use a magnet to pull iron bits out of a mixture.
A magnet separates magnetic materials from non-magnetic ones
Topic: Separation of mixtures
Different substances in a mixture: Two or more substances mixed together, which can be separated again. All key words keep their own properties. Iron is attracted to a magnet, but sand is not. Holding a magnet over a mixture of the two pulls the iron filings out and leaves the sand behind. This only works when one part of the mixture is magnetic.
What you will learn
- Separate iron filings from sand using a magnet.
- Explain that magnetic separation works because only iron is attracted to the magnet.
- Recognise mixtures that a magnet cannot separate.
Before you start
- Know that some materials are attracted to magnets.
Materials
- Sand
- Iron filings
- Table salt
Equipment
- 3 dishes
- Bar magnet (wrapped in a plastic bag)
- Stirring rod
Procedure
- Add sand and iron filings to Dish A and stir to mix them.
- Use the magnet on Dish A and drop what it picks up into Dish B.
- Add salt and sand to Dish C, stir, and try the magnet on Dish C too.
How this simulation is simplified
- The magnet picks up every iron filing in one go. In real life a few filings may need a second pass.