Chem Lab

Separation Methods

Submitted By: Tiffany Lam
Partner’s Name: Morgan Silveira
Date of Submission: September 25, 2013
Lab Section: CHE110L*Z
Purpose
The purpose of this experiment is to use two common laboratory methods to see how mixtures can be separated based on physical properties. Paper chromatography will be used to separate the dye colors from M&M candy to see which colors contain yellow #5. Gravimetric separation will be used to separate salt and sand from a mixture.
Procedure
The procedure for this lab can be found on pages 16 – 30 in “General Chemistry CHE110L Laboratory Manual Fall 2013”.
Data Tables
Carbon copies of data tables have been attached to the back of this lap report.
Calculations
Paper Chromatography-
1. Yellow M&M’s Rf Value:

2. Orange M&M’s Rf Value:

3. Blue M&M’s Rf Value:

4. Green M&M’s Rf Value:

5. Red M&M’s Rf Value:

Separation of a Sand/Salt Mixture
6. Mass of NaCl (salt):
Mass of 2nd beaker + boiling chips + salt = 69.013g
Mass of 2nd beaker + boiling chips = 67.793g NaCl
7. Mass of Sand:
Mass of filter paper + watch glass + sand = 50.200g
Mass of filter paper + watch glass = 47.100g

8. % Salt in Mixture:

9. % Sand in Mixture:

Summary of Results
Paper Chromatography
M&M color
Rf values
Yellow #5Present
Yellow
.475
+
Orange
.313
-
Blue
.925
-
Green
.475
+
Red
.113
-

Separation of a Sand/Salt Mixture
Mass of mixture
4.715g
Mass of salt 1.200g
Mass of sand
3.100g
% salt in mixture
25.875%
% sand in mixture
65.748%

Conclusion
The purpose of this lab, to use two common laboratory methods to see how mixtures can be separated based on physical properties, was fulfilled. The results were then used to see which M&M contained yellow #5 and to separate sand and salt from a mixture.
In the paper chromatography section of the lab, the Rf value of the yellow M&M was found to be .475, with