To separate sugar from a mixture using its solubility properties, you can leverage the fact that sugar dissolves in water but not in toluene. Here’s a step-by-step outline of the procedure:
Materials Needed:
- Mixture of sugar and toluene (or a solid containing sugar)
- Water
- Filter paper or a filtration setup
- Beaker or flask
Procedure:
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Add Water:
- Take the mixture of sugar and toluene and add a sufficient amount of water to it. The sugar will dissolve in the water, forming a sugar solution, while toluene will remain largely undissolved.
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Stir the Mixture:
- Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure that all of the sugar has dissolved in the water. You will notice that the toluene will form a separate layer above the water and sugar solution.
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Decant or Extract:
- Carefully decant the toluene layer from the top. This can be done by gently pouring the upper liquid into another container, or using a separatory funnel if available. Ensure that the sugar solution remains in the bottom container.
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Filter the Sugar Solution (if necessary):
- If there are any solid impurities that haven't dissolved in the water, you may want to filter the sugar solution using filter paper to obtain a clear solution of sugar in water.
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Evaporate the Water:
- To isolate the sugar from the sugar solution, you will need to remove the water. This can be done by gently heating the solution to evaporate the water. Take care not to overheat, as this could lead to caramelization of the sugar.
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Collect the Crystals:
- Once the water has evaporated, you will be left with solid sugar crystals. Allow them to cool and crystallize fully, then scrape them out for your separate sample of sugar.
Conclusion:
By utilizing the different solubility properties of sugar in water and toluene, you can efficiently separate the sugar from the toluene. Following the steps of dissolution, separation, filtration (if needed), and evaporation allows you to obtain a pure sample of sugar.