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General
Chemistry 1

Quarter 1 - Module 4:
Methods of Separating
Components of
Mixtures and
Compounds
 What I Need to Know?

This module was prepared to provide you with a guide on how the
compositions of different types of mixtures can be separated to one another. The
significance of knowing the ways of separating components of mixture could help
us in difficult and unexpected situations such as the need for potable water in
waterless island or in an area surrounded by flood water. In addition,
familiarization on the proper techniques and safety procedure to be observed in
performing the separating methods would help you to identify easily the
components of commonly found mixtures or substances at home accurately and
correctly. The scope of this module covers many different learning situations where
students could relate their personal involvements on different methods of
separating components of mixtures and compounds. The language used recognizes
the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the
standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be
changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. describe various simple separation techniques such as distillation and
chromatography, (STEM_GC11MP1a-b-12).

What I Know?
(Critical Thinking)

To check your prior knowledge about the topic, and to solicit the questions
that you want to know about it, fill in the Know and Want to know components of
the Know-Want to know- Learned (KWL) chart properly and correctly. For the Know
component, you may write word/s or sentence. For the want to know component,
state your responses in interrogative or question form. You may list as many
responses as you want for each component. Write your responses on a separate
sheet of paper.

KWL Chart
Topic Know Want to know Learned
Methods of
Separating
Components of
Mixtures and
Compounds

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Guide Questions
1. Based from what you have written on the Know component of the chart, what do
you know about methods of separating components of mixtures and compounds?

2. If you were to think of a question that you want to ask about methods of
separating components of mixtures and compounds, what question would that be?

HOLD ON AMIGO!!!
DIRECTION: After you have filled-in the K and W components of the
chart and answered the guide questions, answer now the diagnostic
assessment below within 10 minutes.

PRE-TEST
A. Multiple Choice. Read and answer each statement carefully then write the
letter of the best answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. A heterogeneous mixture can be separated by all of the following methods

EXCEPT ____
A. filtration C. distillation
B. decantation D. mechanical separation

2. To get salt out of a solution, we could use ____

A. filtration C. distillation
B. decantation D. mechanical separation

3. Mary wants to get the iron filings out of some fine sand, what could be used to
separate these two solids?
A. Magnet B. Sieve C. Evaporation D. Decantation

4. Condensing means transforming from gas to _____

A. solid B. liquid C. gas D. plasma

5. If I pour the water off after I boil the banana, this method is an example of _____
A. filtration C. distillation
B. decantation D. mechanical separation

B. Sentence Completion. Complete each statement with a word/ concept in the

blank of the item.

1. Separating sand and water could be done through _____.

2. ____ involves the used of centrifuge to speed up the settling of the precipitate
using centrifugal or rotating motion.
3. The separation technique that takes advantage of different boiling points in
called ____
4. The best way to decompose water into oxygen and hydrogen is by ____
5. The sugar in sugar solution can be removed by __

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 HOLD ON AMIGO!!!
DIRECTION: Rest for 1 minute then you may start reading the lesson
1 below about the characteristics of the Particles of Matter.

Lesson Methods of Separating Components

1 of Mixtures and Compounds

The earth is full of different mixtures which are present on land, water and
air. These mixtures play important roles in our life because of their uses in the filed
agriculture, health, industries and even to our practical living. However,
substances in their mixture forms are not always the ideal substances for us based
from what we are aiming to get or to do, rather its components are more important.
Thus, a mixture must undergo such process in order to breakdown its components
for our ideal use.

This module will discuss the different methods of separating components of

mixtures and compounds as well as the important laboratory technique and safety
rules that need to observe.

What’s In?

LET US HAVE SOME FUN!

Situational Analysis. Analyze the scenario below then answer the

corresponding guide questions.

Your plane suddenly crushed in an island and luckily you survived. The
island is full of fruit bearing plants but no source of fresh water.

Guide Questions
1. What would you do to convert the ocean water into potable water? How?
2. Which separating method could be used to separate water and salt from sea
water?

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 HOLD ON AMIGO!!!
DIRECTION: After you have analyzed the given situation and answered
the guide questions, let us proceed to what’s new. Read the direction
carefully.

What’s New?
(Communication)

IMPORTANT VOCABULARY WORDS

Read the description of important terms that you will encounter in this
module.

VOCABULARY WORD MEANING

1. Component A part or element of a larger whole.
2. Separate Cause to move or be apart.

HOLD ON AMIGO!!!
DIRECTION: After finding out the meaning of important terms that
you will encounter as you read the next part, make time to read the
methods of separating the components of mixtures and compound
below thoroughly.

What is Method of Separating

Components of Mixture?

Method of Separating Components of Mixtures

If we are to study the meaning of method of separating components of
mixtures and compound, we need to determine first the meaning of important
concepts. First is method which is describe as procedure, process, way or
technique. Second is the separate which means to move, segregate or keep apart.
Third is component which means constituent, section or a part of a larger whole.
And lastly is the word mixture which means a substance produced when two or
more pure substances are put together in any proportion without a chemical union.
Thus, method of separating components of mixtures is a procedure or process of
segregating or moving the constituent or part of a substance which is made up of
two or more pure substances.

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What are the Methods of Separating the Components of
Mixtures and Compounds?
Once again, method of separating components of mixtures is a procedure or
process of segregating or moving the constituent or part of a substance which is
made up of two or more pure substances. Sample of a mixture is sea water because
sea water contains both water and salt which are mixed together in different
proportion or amount. Another example is mixture of water conglomerate which is
a mixture of sand, gravel and cement which is used as construction materials.

So, what are the different methods of separating the components of mixtures
and compounds? What are laboratory techniques and safety rules that must be
observed in performing those methods? Let us find out the different separating
methods.

1. Filtration

It is the process of separating the insoluble solid from the liquid substance
by allowing the liquid to pass through a porous material called filtering agent. The
solid particles which are retained in the filter paper is called residue, and the clear
liquid which passes through a filtering agent such as filter paper is called the
filtrate. In using a filter paper, a glass funnel is used as a support. To transfer the
mixture (liquid) from the beaker into the funnel, you have to mix thoroughly the
mixture using a stirring rod so that no solid substance will be left behind. A stirring
rod may also be used to guide the mixture into the funnel to avoid spillage
especially if the said funnel is too small. See to it also that the filter paper is not
damaged before using it.

Filtration Process

2. Decantation

This is a method used to separate the liquid layer known as supernatant

and a heavy insoluble solid known as precipitate by allowing the said solid to settle
at the bottom of the container then the liquid above the solid is poured off carefully
into another container. In decantation process, the mixture is being set aside and
given enough time the precipitate to settle at the bottom of the container such as a
beaker. Unlike the filtration process where you can immediately pour the mixture
into the funnel, you have to wait all the precipitate to settle at the bottom of the

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container before the actual pouring can be done. In the decantation process, you
have to pour the liquids into another container very slowly. A stirring rod may also
be used to guide the liquid into another container to avoid spillage especially if the
said container is too small. In checking the temperature of a container such as
beaker, you may use the back part of your hand to determine it hotness. Do not
immediately touch the container.

Decantation Process
3. Mechanical Separation

This involves the use of forceps, sieves, magnet and other similar tools to
separate the components of mixtures. Sand and gravel are separated by passing
the mixture over a wire screen. In the mechanical separation, the involved
substances are mostly solids that can be separated manually. Below is an
illustration of a sieve that separate two solid which are the sand and the gravel. It
may look like filtration, but the device used in this process is not porous.

Mechanical Separation
4. Centrifugation

It is the process that uses a motor device known as centrifuge that speeds
up the settling of the precipitate using centrifugal or rotating motion. As the
mixture inside the test tube of the centrifuge is subjected to centrifugal force, the

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heavier component settles at the bottom and the less dense component settles at
the upper portion. Example of this is the separating the components of blood
which include the plasma, buffy coat and the blood cells. In using the centrifuge,
the number of the test tube inside should have equal distances and the cover of the
centrifuge should be tightly covered to avoid any untoward incident.

Centifugation Process

5. Distillation

This is a process that involves the evaporation and condensation of a liquid

solvent from a mixture or solution. This method uses the difference in boiling
points of the components of a mixture. The more volatile liquid in the mixture boils
first, evaporates, then condenses. The distillate is the liquid formed from the
condensation of the vapor. Content of the container should always be checked to
avoid drying up of the said container.

Distillation Process

6. Chromatography

This process uses the difference in the degrees to which substances are
absorbed on the surface of an inert substance such as a filter paper. A drop of ink

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or extract will be separated into different components if it is placed at the end of a
filter paper and the tip of the paper is allowed to barely touch the solvent. Separate
bands of colors, representing the different components will appear on the paper. In
doing this process, the filter paper should ensure the touching of the solvent.

Chromatography Process

7. Electrolysis

This is a chemical decomposition or breakdown produced by passing an electric

current through a liquid or solution containing ions. Example of this is the
separation of oxygen atom to the hydrogen atoms from the water molecules. In
doing this method, the positive and negative electrodes should be submerged
completely in the liquid to effectively separate the ions.

Chromatography Process

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 HOLD ON AMIGO!!!
Did you understand what you have read about methods of
separating the components of mixtures and compounds? If yes, let
us proceed to the mini-performance task. You are about to perform
the procedure as instructed in the Mini-performance task. Read and
follow the procedure carefully. Good luck!

Mini-Performance Task
(Collaboration)

Activity 1 – Methods of Separation

Procedure
A. Sand of time
1. Prepare 1 kg soil from the backyard and sieve.
2. Transfer the 1 kg soil into the sieve. Measure the mass of the sand and the
materials left on the sieve.

B. Pass it through the cloth

1. Measure 100 mL water from the bottom of your water container.
2. Cover the top of a glass with a piece of cloth then pour the 100 mL water unto
it.
3. After pouring the water, observe the surface of the clothe. Note any observation
that you will make.

Observations
A. ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
B. ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Questions
1. What material passes though the holes of the sieve? Why?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. What did you find on the surface of the clothe? Is it safe to drink before
passing through that clothe? Why?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

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 What I Have Learned?
(Critical Thinking)

You have to fill in the L component of the KWL chart to generalize the things
they have learned about the topic.
KWL Chart
Topic Know Want to know Learned
Methods of I have learned that
Separating ….
Components of
Mixtures and
Compounds

HOLD ON AMIGO!!!
After you have filled-in the L component of the chart, proceed now to
the what I can do.

What I Can Do?

(Character and Creativity)

WORK IN PROGRESS

You may choose to any of the added task to you

1. Using an empty soft drink bottle, gravel, sand and charcoal, create your own
water-filtering device.

2. Make a community plan on how could you separate the persons with covid-19
from non-covid? What can you do to help your community?

HOLD ON AMIGO!!!
Congratulations Mi Amigo! You are almost done in this lesson. Let us do
the last part which is the assessment.

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 Assessment
(Critical Thinking)

POST-TEST

A. Multiple Choice. Read and answer each statement carefully then write the
letter of the best answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. In preparing coffee using the Barako coffee beans, you may pour the boiled
coffee mixture into a piece of cloth. Which method is being illustrated?
A. Filtration C. Distillation
B. Decantation D. Mechanical separation

2. Which of the following mixtures could NOT be used in separating the

components of mixtures through decantation?
A. Quail egg in hot water C. Sand in glass of water
B. Sugar in hot water D. Utensils in warm water

3. Which of these methods could be used to separate an insoluble solid from a

soluble solids?
A. Mixing the mixture with water and then filtering it. Then evaporate the
water from the resulting liquid.
B. Mixing the mixture with sand and then filtering it. Then evaporate the
sand from the resulting solid
C. Mixing the mixture with hydrogen gas and then filtering it. Then
evaporate the solids out.
D. None of the above.
4. Which method uses the boiling point differences by gradually heated a mixture?
The substance that vaporize the easiest will separate first.
A. Filtration C. Distillation
B. Decantation D. Mechanical separation

5. A coffee filter is used to separate coffee liquid from ground, this is a suitable
example of ____
A. filtration C. distillation
B. decantation D. mechanical separation

B. Sentence Completion. Complete each statement with a word/ concept in the

blank of the item.

1. ___is a chemical decomposition of breakdown produced by passing an electric

current through a liquid or solution containing ions.

2. ___involves the use of forceps, sieves and other similar tools to separate the
components of mixtures.

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3. ____is a process that involves the evaporation and condensation of volatile
liquids. The more volatile liquid in the mixture boils first, evaporates, then
condenses.

4. ____is a method used to separate liquid and a heavy insoluble solid like soil by
allowing the solid to settle at the bottom of the container then the liquid above the
solid is poured off carefully into another container.

5. ____ is the process of separating the insoluble solid from the liquid substance
by allowing the liquid to pass through a porous material called filtering agent.

HOLD ON AMIGO!!!
Congratulations Mi Amigo!!! We are done in this module. You may now
proceed to the next module. See you next time.

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 REFERENCES

Mendoza E. and Religioso T. (2008). Chemistry Laboratory Manual. Phoenix

Publication

Mendoza E. (2003). Chemistry Textbook. Phoenix Publication

Acknowledgements
Writer: Gary R. Ramos, MAT-GS
Editors: Ma. Teresa M. Chico- PSDS, Rosalina Aranzamendez- PSDS and Ma. Victoria
Santos- PSDS
Reviewers: Amalia C. Solis- EPS, Rebecca M. Roxas- EPS and Lucita A. Gener- EPS
Management Team: Maria Magdelema M. Lim- Schools Division Superintendent-
Manila, Aida H. Rondilla- Chief Education Supervisor, Lucky S. Carpio- EPS and Lady
Hannah C. Gillo, Librarian II- LRMS

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 ANSWER SHEET
Module 4 – Methods of Separating the Components of Mixtures and
Compounds

Name: ______________________________ Grade/ Sec. ____________________ Score: ___

Teacher: ____________________________ School: _________________________ Date: ____

General Direction: Write your answers here from Pre-Test to Post-Test including
the answers in the activities. Detach and submit this part to your teacher upon
his/her direction which usually given after you have completed this module.

KWL CHART
Topic Know Want to know Learned
Methods of
Separating
Components of
Mixtures and
Compounds

PRE-TEST
Multiple Choice
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Sentence Completion
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

POST-TEST
Multiple Choice
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Sentence Completion
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

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Activity 1- Methods of Separation

Observations
A.________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

B. _______________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Answer to the Questions

1. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

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