- What is magnetic separation?
- Characteristics of magnetic separation
- Examples of magnetic separation
- Other methods of separating mixtures
We explain what magnetic separation is, its characteristics, examples and other techniques for separating mixtures.
Magnetic separation extracts the elements with the highest magnetism from a mixture.What is magnetic separation?
Magnetic separation is a physical method of separation of mixtures, which uses the magnetic susceptibility of some of its components. To do this, he resorts to the exposition of the mixture still magnet (or yet magnetic field intense enough) for a period of time.
In other words, the technique It consists of bringing a magnet closer to the mixture, to attract the ferromagnetic components of the mixture, leaving the non-magnetic ones in the container.
The magnetism it manifests itself in an attractive or repulsive force, depending on the polarity of the opposing magnetic fields: like poles repel, different poles attract. Is a property of matter that is present in all matter which is more perceptible in some materials than in others.
The magnetic separation technique is widely used in recycling or rescue work of certain metallic elements, which differ from their environment in terms of their molecular nature. There are even variants that can be applied to polar organic substances, but these are more delicate procedures.
Characteristics of magnetic separation
Magnetic separation works based on the enormous difference in magnetic susceptibility that can exist between the components of a mixture. All those that respond to magnetism will undergo modification when exposed to a magnet or electromagnet, leaving the rest in their place.
Obviously, the ideal would be that not all components of the mixture are magnetic or not all to the same extent, so that through controlled exposure to magnetic forces, the mixture can be effectively separated.
Examples of magnetic separation
This technique is very useful for separating mixtures such as:
- Iron filings present in flour, sulfur, gravel or other materials solid.
- Coins, paper clips, metal objects from the beach sand.
- Nickel solid among other less magnetic metals, such as bronze or silver.
Other methods of separating mixtures
As well as magnetic separation, there are other physical and chemical methods to separate mixtures, such as:
- Filtered out. Useful for separating insoluble solids from liquids, consists of the use of a filter (filter paper, filter stones, etc.) that allows the liquid to pass through but retains the solid elements.
- Decantation. Used to separate liquids that do not dissolve in each other, or insoluble solids in a liquid, using an ampoule or a separatory funnel, where the mixture is allowed to settle until the densest component goes to the bottom, while the less dense remains on the surface.
- Sieving. It is a separation method similar to filtration, but it is used to separate mixtures of solid substances of different sizes. It is made with a net or sieve, whose holes allow the passage of the smaller fragments and retain the larger ones.
- Distillation. It allows to separate soluble liquids from each other, which have different Boiling point. The procedure consists of pouring the mixture into a container and heating it, controlling the temperature so that only the component with the lowest boiling point vaporizes and can be redirected to another container, where it condenses.
- Evaporation. It is used to separate dissolved solids from liquids and consists of evaporating the liquid until the crystals of the dissolved solid are obtained at the bottom of the container.