Making and separating solutions
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Solutions and Dissolving
- When a solute dissolves in a solvent, a solution forms.
- Sugar and salt are soluble in water; sand is insoluble in water.
- Dissolving happens because solute particles mix evenly with solvent particles.
- Stirring and heating the solvent make a solute dissolve faster.
A solute dissolves in a solvent until the solution is saturated. At a fixed temperature, additional solute then remains undissolved.

Separating a Soluble Solid from a Solution (Evaporation)
- To obtain a dissolved solid (e.g., copper sulphate), evaporate the solvent.
- Pour the solution into an evaporating basin and heat gently.
- As the solvent evaporates, crystals of the solute form.
- Remove from heat when enough solvent has evaporated, then leave to crystallise.
A solution is heated to evaporate some of the solvent; on cooling, the dissolved solid crystallises out.

Separating an Insoluble Solid from a Liquid (Filtration)
- Use filtration to separate an insoluble solid (e.g., sand) from a liquid.
- Pour the mixture through filter paper in a funnel.
- Liquid particles (small) pass through the paper; solid particles (larger) are trapped.
- The liquid that passes through is called the filtrate; the trapped solid is the residue.
Filtration of a mixture of an insoluble solid and a liquid: the solid stays behind as the residue, the liquid passes through as the filtrate.

Particle arrangement in solids, liquids, and gases. Dissolving involves particles mixing, not changing state.
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1.Which of the following is true about sand and water?
Easy- ASand is soluble in water.
- BSand is insoluble in water.
- CSand dissolves in water to form a solution.
- DSand and water cannot be separated by filtration.
2.What is the solute in a fizzy drink where carbon dioxide is dissolved in water?
Easy- AWater
- BCarbon dioxide
- CFizzy drink
- DSugar
3.Which of the following best defines the term 'soluble'?
Easy- AA substance that cannot dissolve in a solvent
- BA substance that can dissolve in a solvent
- CA liquid that dissolves other substances
- DA mixture of a solute and a solvent
4.Which of the following best defines the term 'insoluble'?
Easy- AA substance that can dissolve in a solvent
- BA substance that cannot dissolve in a solvent
- CA liquid that dissolves other substances
- DA mixture that cannot be separated
5.Which two methods can make sugar dissolve faster in water?
Easy- AHeating and stirring
- BCooling and stirring
- CHeating and leaving still
- DAdding more sugar and cooling
6.How would you separate sand from a mixture of sand and water?
Easy- AEvaporation
- BDistillation
- CFiltration
- DChromatography
7.Which method is used to obtain sugar crystals from a sugar solution?
Easy- AFiltration
- BEvaporation
- CDistillation
- DDecanting
8.In a solution of salt water, which component is the solvent?
Easy- ASalt
- BWater
- CBoth salt and water
- DNeither
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