Question 1 Report
| method | what it separates |
|---|---|
| filtration | insoluble solid from liquid |
| crystallisation | soluble solid from solution |
| distillation | solvent from solution |
A student is asked which method separates an insoluble solid from a liquid. The table lists four methods. Which method is correct for this task?
Choose the method whose separating principle matches the difference between the components. An insoluble solid keeps its particles in large clusters that cannot pass through the pores of filter paper, while the liquid flows through freely, so filtration is the correct method for this task, exactly as the first row of the table states.
Crystallisation is for recovering a solid that has dissolved, so it is the wrong tool when the solid never dissolved in the first place. Distillation is for obtaining the solvent from a solution using boiling point, which wastes energy and is unnecessary here. Chromatography separates dissolved substances by how far they travel on paper. The deciding question is always whether the solid is soluble or insoluble.
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