Practice identifying the five key techniques for separating mixtures with this hands-on matching worksheet designed for chemistry students.

Let's solve the task step by step.

Task:

Match each separating technique to its correct definition.

We are given five definitions on the left and five techniques on the right. We need to match them correctly.

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Step 1: Understand Each Technique

1. Chromatography
- Used to separate components of a mixture based on their different affinities for a stationary phase and a mobile phase.
- Often used for dissolved substances (like dyes in ink) in a solution.
- So, this is best matched with: *"Used when separating mixtures containing dissolved substances."*

2. Decantation
- A process where a liquid is carefully poured off from a solid that has settled at the bottom.
- Used after shaking and settling (e.g., sand and water).
- Matches: *"Used when separating a mixture through shaking and settling."*

3. Filtration
- Separates solids from liquids using a filter (e.g., filter paper).
- Used when you have a solid in a liquid (e.g., saltwater with sand).
- Matches: *"Used when separating a soluble solvent from a solid"* — wait, let’s be careful here.

Actually, filtration separates insoluble solids from liquids. But the definition says "soluble solvent from a solid" — that doesn’t make sense because if the solvent is soluble, it's already mixed. Wait — maybe there's a typo in phrasing.

Let's re-express:
Filtration is used to separate an insoluble solid from a liquid.
But the definition says: *"Used when separating a soluble solvent from a solid"* — that seems backwards.

Perhaps it's meant to say: *separating a solid from a liquid* — but even then, the wording is awkward.

Let's look again:

> "Used when separating a soluble solvent from a solid"

That would imply the solvent is soluble — which is always true — but we’re separating it from a solid? That doesn't fit filtration well.

Hmm.

Let’s consider evaporation.

4. Evaporation
- Used to separate a solute from a solvent in a solution by boiling off the solvent.
- Example: Evaporating water from saltwater to get salt.
- So, this matches: *"Used when separating a solute from a solution"* or *"Used when separating a solvent from a solution"*?

Let’s check:

- "Used when separating a solvent from a solution" → Yes, evaporation removes the solvent (liquid) from the solution, leaving the solute behind.

But wait — actually, distillation is more precise for separating a solvent from a solution, especially if you want to recover the solvent.

5. Distillation
- Separates components based on differences in boiling points.
- Commonly used to separate a solvent from a solution (e.g., purifying water from saltwater).
- So, distillation is ideal for: *"Used when separating a solvent from a solution"*

6. Evaporation
- Removes the solvent by heating, but does not recover the solvent — only leaves the solute.
- So, better for: *"Used when separating a solute from a solution"*

Now let’s go back to the definitions and match them one by one.

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Match Definitions to Techniques

#### Definition 1:
> "Used when separating a solvent from a solution"

- This means you want to recover the solvent (e.g., water from saltwater).
- Best technique: Distillation
- ✔ Match: Distillation

#### Definition 2:
> "Used when separating a soluble solvent from a solid"

- This is confusing. A "soluble solvent"? Solvents dissolve things — they are usually the liquid part.
- Likely intended meaning: separating a solid from a liquid, where the solid is insoluble.
- But it says "soluble solvent", which is odd.
- Wait — perhaps it's a typo. Maybe it should be: “separating a solid from a solution”?
- Or: “separating a solute from a solvent”? Not quite.

Wait — let's think differently.

If you have a solid and a soluble solvent, that doesn’t make sense.

But if you have a mixture of solid and liquid, and you want to separate them — that’s filtration.

So likely, the definition means: *separating a solid from a liquid*, and the liquid is the solvent.

So: "Used when separating a solid from a liquid" → Filtration

But the text says: "Used when separating a soluble solvent from a solid" — which is backwards.

Perhaps it's supposed to be: "Used when separating a solid from a solution" — which fits filtration.

So we’ll assume it’s a miswording.

✔ So: Filtration → "Used when separating a soluble solvent from a solid" — no, that still doesn't make sense.

Alternative idea: Maybe “soluble solvent” is a mistake — perhaps it should be “insoluble solid”.

But let's try another approach.

Let’s list all definitions and possible matches.

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Re-list the definitions and options:

| Definition | Possible Technique |
|----------|---------------------|
| 1. Used when separating a solvent from a solution | Distillation or Evaporation |
| 2. Used when separating a soluble solvent from a solid | ??? — unclear |
| 3. Used when separating mixtures containing dissolved substances | Chromatography |
| 4. Used when separating a mixture through shaking and settling | Decantation |
| 5. Used when separating a solute from a solution | Evaporation |

Now let’s assign:

- Definition 3: "Used when separating mixtures containing dissolved substances"
→ Chromatography ✔

- Definition 4: "Used when separating a mixture through shaking and settling"
→ Decantation ✔

- Definition 5: "Used when separating a solute from a solution"
→ Evaporation ✔ (because you evaporate the solvent, leaving the solute)

- Definition 1: "Used when separating a solvent from a solution"
→ Distillation ✔ (you can recover the solvent)

- Definition 2: "Used when separating a soluble solvent from a solid"
→ This is problematic.

Wait — maybe it's a typo and should be: "Used when separating a solid from a solution" → then it would be Filtration

But currently it says: "separating a soluble solvent from a solid"

That makes no sense — a solvent isn't separated *from* a solid unless the solid is dissolving it.

Alternatively, could it be: "Used when separating a solid from a liquid"?

Then Filtration fits.

But the wording is: "separating a soluble solvent from a solid"

Possibility: It might mean: you have a solid (like sand), and a solvent (like water) that is soluble (but water is the solvent). You want to separate the solvent from the solid.

That’s filtration — you pour the mixture through filter paper; solid stays, liquid passes.

So: Filtration → "Used when separating a solvent from a solid" — but it says "soluble solvent", which is redundant.

Maybe "soluble" is a mistake.

Alternatively, perhaps "soluble" refers to the solute, not the solvent.

But it says "soluble solvent".

This appears to be a poorly worded definition.

But looking at the options, the only one left is Filtration.

And the only unmatched definition is:

> "Used when separating a soluble solvent from a solid"

→ Probably meant: "Used when separating a solid from a liquid" → Filtration

So we'll go with:

✔ Filtration → "Used when separating a soluble solvent from a solid" (assuming typo)

But that’s not ideal.

Wait — what about decantation?

Decantation is used when you shake a mixture (e.g., oil and water), let it settle, then pour off the top layer.

But that’s not for separating a solvent from a solid — it’s for immiscible liquids.

So decantation is for liquids, not solids.

So Filtration is the only technique for solid-liquid separation.

Therefore, despite the poor wording, Filtration must go with the second definition.

But let’s double-check the full list.

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Final Matching:

1. Used when separating a solvent from a solution
→ Distillation
(Because you recover the solvent via boiling and condensation)

2. Used when separating a soluble solvent from a solid
→ Filtration
(Assuming "soluble solvent" is a misphrase — likely means "a liquid from a solid")

3. Used when separating mixtures containing dissolved substances
→ Chromatography
(Perfect fit — e.g., separating dyes in ink)

4. Used when separating a mixture through shaking and settling
→ Decantation
(Yes — shake, let settle, pour off liquid)

5. Used when separating a solute from a solution
→ Evaporation
(You heat the solution, solvent evaporates, solute remains)

Now, the last technique is Distillation, which we used for #1.

But wait — we have:

- Chromatography
- Decantation
- Filtration
- Evaporation
- Distillation

All five are listed.

So matching:

| Definition | Technique |
|----------|----------|
| 1. Used when separating a solvent from a solution | Distillation |
| 2. Used when separating a soluble solvent from a solid | Filtration |
| 3. Used when separating mixtures containing dissolved substances | Chromatography |
| 4. Used when separating a mixture through shaking and settling | Decantation |
| 5. Used when separating a solute from a solution | Evaporation |

✔ All assigned.

Note: The second definition is awkwardly worded, but Filtration is the only technique that separates a solid from a liquid (i.e., a solvent from a solid).

Even though it says "soluble solvent", it probably means the solvent is the liquid being separated from the solid.

So final answer:

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✔ Correct Matches:

1. Used when separating a solvent from a solution → Distillation
2. Used when separating a soluble solvent from a solid → Filtration
3. Used when separating mixtures containing dissolved substances → Chromatography
4. Used when separating a mixture through shaking and settling → Decantation
5. Used when separating a solute from a solution → Evaporation

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Summary:

| Definition | Technique |
|----------|----------|
| Separating a solvent from a solution | Distillation |
| Separating a soluble solvent from a solid | Filtration |
| Separating mixtures with dissolved substances | Chromatography |
| Separating via shaking and settling | Decantation |
| Separating a solute from a solution | Evaporation |

This is the correct matching. Use colored pencils to draw lines between the definitions and the corresponding techniques.