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Lesson 9 of 10

8 min

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Here are the seven rules first. Use them if a question feels hard.

Exploring Mixtures and their Separation: seven rules, from same all through to the right order
IdeaThe rule
Same all through, or notA mixture is homogeneous when it is the same all through. It is heterogeneous when its parts are not the same everywhere.
Solution, colloid, suspensionA solution has the smallest pieces and a suspension has the largest. A colloid lies in between. Size decides what the tests show.
Light through a mixtureLight scatters off the pieces in a colloid or a suspension. A true solution hardly scatters light. This scattering is the Tyndall effect.
How strong is a solutionConcentration tells how much solute is in the whole solution. Mass by mass percentage is solute mass ÷ solution mass × 100.
Picking a methodEach method works on a property in which the parts differ. If the parts do not differ in it, the method fails.
Getting back what dissolvedFor most solids, a hot saturated solution holds less when it cools. The extra solute comes out as crystals.
More than two partsEach part needs its own step. The step uses a property that sets the part apart. Do each step only while its property still works. A later step must not undo an earlier one.

Vinegar is acetic acid spread through water. What kind of mixture is it?

  • Heterogeneous, since it holds two substances
  • Homogeneous, since it is the same all through
  • Neither kind, since acids do not mix with water

A liquid has pieces 500 nm wide. They do not settle. Filter paper does not catch them. What is it?

  • A solution
  • A suspension
  • A colloid

A light beam crosses starch in water and leaves a bright path. What does this show?

  • The starch has fully dissolved into a true solution
  • The pieces scatter light, so it is no solution
  • The light has dissolved in the water and vanished

15 g of sugar is dissolved in 60 g of water. What is the mass by mass percentage?

  • 20 %, from 15 ÷ 75
  • 25 %, from 15 ÷ 60
  • 4 %, from 60 ÷ 15

Camphor is mixed with dry sand. Which method separates them?

  • Sublimation
  • Filtration
  • Separating funnel

Take 100 g of water. Potassium nitrate holds about 170 g at 80 °C. It holds about 64 g at 40 °C. How much comes out on cooling?

  • 64 g
  • 106 g
  • 170 g

A bowl holds chalk powder, salt and camphor. Which step comes first?

  • Add water and stir well to start
  • Filter the dry mixture through paper
  • Heat gently, so the camphor sublimes

Salt is dissolved in water. You want the pure water back. Which method works?

  • Filtration
  • Sublimation
  • Distillation

Which of these is a suspension?

  • Salt in water
  • Muddy water
  • Milk in water

A colloid is poured through filter paper. Its pieces are far smaller than the holes. What happens?

  • The pieces pass through with the water
  • The paper catches all of the pieces
  • The pieces turn into crystals on the paper

This is Chapter 5 of your Class 9 book, Exploration. It is called Exploring Mixtures and their Separation. Read it this week.

Next is How Forces Affect Motion. There, the question changes. It is no longer what is in a thing. It is what makes a thing move.

Reveal every answer to finish this lesson.