• Decanting: A crude way of separating insoluble solids from liquids, as the liquid is poured away and collected in another container. Note that the insoluble solid should be able to settle down on standing. This method is not effective for obtaining clear liquid from the mixture especially when the insoluble solid is very fine and light.

  .

  Filtration: Separation of solids or groups of solids from the liquid in a mixture, using a medium through which the liquid can pass.

  The medium which we are using over here is the filter paper. The filter paper is folded and placed onto the filter funnel.

  

• Evaporation: In the case which we do not need to collect the solvent. The solvent is boiled off and escapes into the air while the solute is left behind in the holding container. Note that this method is not suitable for use on solutes which can be decomposed by heating (e.g. Copper II sulphate)

  

Fractional Distillation: Used to separate miscible liquids with different but very close boiling point. This method is more efficient than simple distillation.

A fractionating column is introduced between the distillation flask and the condenser. The upper portion of the column, which is closer to the condenser, is cooler than the lower portion and hence, only gases with the same temperature as the upper portion are allowed to pass on to the condenser. On the other hand, the gases with higher boiling points will condense and flow back to the bottom into the distillation flask, and is heated into a gas again. At the end, liquid with the lowest boiling point will be the first to boil and hence the first to be distilled out and collect