Abstract In this experiment the separation of a copper (II) chloride and sodium chloride mixiture was attempted. The main aim was to separate the compounds from eachother while receiving as much of the original mass of both substances as possible - in perfect conditions the original mass will be received after seperation. Many techniques were considered but dissolution, filtration and evaporation proved to be easiest and most reliable in a school environment with school equipment. The copper (II) chloride and sodium chloride mixture was dissolved in a methanol solution and filtered out leaving the sodium chloride behind. The methanol was then evaporated from the copper (II) chloride and methanol solution leaving behind the copper (II) chloride. …show more content…
The solubility rate of copper (II) chloride in methanol is 53g/100ml whilst the solubility rate for sodium chloride is 65g/ml. Although there solubility rate is fairly close the difference is enough that when little amounts of methanol is added only the copper (II) chloride dissolves. A factor that affects the solubilty of metals is their molecular mass. Copper (II) has a molecular mass of 63.546 whilst sodium has a molecular mass of 22.989769 meaning copper has higher solubility rate than sodium, this is because as the molecular mass of a metal increases it becomes difficult for molecules to hold onto their solute particles and when those particles break away they can easily dissolve into the solvent. Therefore because coppers molecular mass is greater than sodiums it’s solute particles breakaway with less resistant meaning copper dissolves better. Hence in the sample only copper (II) chloride will dissolve leaving the sodium chloride behind once filtered through. The copper (II) chloride can then be obtained by evaporating the methanol; which has a boiling point of 65 degrees celsius whilst copper (II) chloride has a boiling point of 993 degrees celsius, thus allowing the methanol to be easily evaporated out of the solution eliminating concerns of the copper (II) chloride evaporating alongside the methanol. Purpose To investigate different methods of separating copper (II) chloride and sodium chloride in order to obtain the original masses of both substances. Hypothesis Copper (II) chloride and sodium chloride can successfully be separated from eahothe by using dissolution, filtration and evaporation Appartus 4g copper (II) chloride 4g sodium chloride 50ml