Separating mixtures (including formulations)
I can describe what mixtures are and list methods used to separate them.
Separating mixtures (including formulations)
I can describe what mixtures are and list methods used to separate them.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A mixture consists of two or more elements and/or compounds, not chemically combined together.
- Chemical properties of each substance in a mixture remain unchanged.
- There are multiple physical processes for separating mixtures.
- Melting point data can be used to distinguish between pure substances and mixtures.
- A formulation is a designed mixture, with each component serving a specific purpose.
Keywords
Mixture - A mixture is a material that contains two or more different substances that can be physically separated.
Separate - In chemistry, to separate something is to extract and isolate a substance from a mixture.
Formulation - A formulation is a designed mixture, with each component serving a specific purpose in the desired product.
Property - A property is a feature or characteristic of a substance that can be used to classify it or describe how it behaves.
Common misconception
Pupils mistake common (everyday) usage of pure (e.g. pure orange juice) as being a pure substance when it is, in fact, a mixture.
'Everyday' usage refers to one source, whereas scientific usage refers to particle composition.
To help you plan your year 10 chemistry lesson on: Separating mixtures (including formulations), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 chemistry lesson on: Separating mixtures (including formulations), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 chemistry lessons from the Separating substances unit, dive into the full secondary chemistry curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
A material with two or more different substances physically combined.
To extract and isolate a substance from a mixture.
A designed mixture with specific purpose for each component.
A feature or characteristic of a substance.