Final answer:
To separate iron filings, ammonium bicarbonate, sand, and sodium chloride, use a magnet for the iron, then dissolve the rest in water, filter to remove sand, and finally use thermal decomposition and evaporation to separate the remaining components.
Step-by-step explanation:
To separate a mixture of iron filings, ammonium bicarbonate (NH4HCO3), sand, and sodium chloride (NaCl), we can employ several physical separation methods that utilize the distinct physical properties of each component.
- The iron filings can be separated magnetically because iron is a magnetic material. Use a magnet to attract the iron filings away from the non-magnetic substances.
- Next, dissolve the remaining mixture in water. Sodium chloride and ammonium bicarbonate are soluble in water, whereas sand is not. This will result in sand being separable by filtration.
- After filtration, you can obtain the sand as the residue. The filtrate will contain dissolved sodium chloride and ammonium bicarbonate.
- To separate sodium chloride and ammonium bicarbonate, you can take advantage of their different thermal decompositions. Heating the solution will decompose ammonium bicarbonate into ammonia gas, carbon dioxide gas, and water, which can be collected by condensation. Sodium chloride will not decompose and can be obtained by evaporating the remaining solution.
This method uses magnetic separation, filtration, thermal decomposition, and evaporation