A mixture of sand, ammonium chloride and sodium chloride is best separated by _______

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A mixture of sand, ammonium chloride and sodium chloride is best separated by _______

  • A) sublimation followed by addition of water and filtration
  • B) sublimation followed by addition of water and evaporation
  • C) addition of water followed by filtration and sublimation
  • D) addition of water followed by crystallization and sublimation

Correct Answer: A) sublimation followed by addition of water and filtration

Explanation

The best method to separate a mixture of sand, ammonium chloride, and sodium chloride is through a combination of sublimation, addition of water, and filtration, which is Option A.

First, we need to understand the properties of each component in the mixture:

  • Sand is insoluble in water and does not undergo sublimation.

  • Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) undergoes sublimation, which means it directly converts from a solid to a gaseous state when heated, without passing through a liquid state. It is also soluble in water.

  • Sodium chloride (NaCl) is soluble in water but does not undergo sublimation.

    • Now, let's break down the separation process:

    1. Sublimation: Heat the mixture gently. Ammonium chloride will sublimate, leaving behind a mixture of sand and sodium chloride. Collect the ammonium chloride vapors on a cool surface to obtain the solid ammonium chloride.

    2. Addition of water: Add water to the remaining mixture of sand and sodium chloride. Sodium chloride will dissolve in water, while sand will not.

    3. Filtration: Filter the mixture to separate the sand from the sodium chloride solution. The sand will remain on the filter paper, while the sodium chloride solution will pass through the filter.

      4. By following these steps, you will have successfully separated the three components of the mixture: sand, ammonium chloride, and sodium chloride. To obtain solid sodium chloride from the solution, you can use evaporation or crystallization techniques.

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