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Methods of Separation of Substances - Magnetic Separation

Grade 6CBSE

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

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Magnetic Separation is a method of separation used when one of the components of a mixture has magnetic properties (is attracted to a magnet).

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Magnetic substances are materials like Iron (FeFe), Nickel (NiNi), and Cobalt (CoCo) that are strongly attracted to magnets.

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Non-magnetic substances are materials like sand, sulfur, wood, aluminum, and salt that are not attracted by a magnet.

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In this process, a magnet is moved over the mixture. The magnetic particles cling to the magnet, leaving the non-magnetic particles behind.

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This method is widely used in scrap yards to separate iron objects from garbage and in flour mills to remove iron pins or nails from grain.

📐Formulae

Mixture=Magnetic Substance+Non-magnetic Substance\text{Mixture} = \text{Magnetic Substance} + \text{Non-magnetic Substance}

Total Mass=Mmagnetic+Mnon−magnetic\text{Total Mass} = M_{magnetic} + M_{non-magnetic}

💡Examples

Problem 1:

A mixture contains 50 g50\text{ g} of iron filings and 150 g150\text{ g} of sand. If a magnet is used to remove all the iron, what is the mass of the substance remaining in the container?

Solution:

The remaining mass is 150 g150\text{ g}.

Explanation:

Since iron is a magnetic material, it will be attracted and removed by the magnet. Sand is non-magnetic and will stay in the container. The calculation is as follows: 200 (Total)−50 (Iron)150 (Sand)\begin{array}{r} 200 \text{ (Total)} \\ - 50 \text{ (Iron)} \\ \hline 150 \text{ (Sand)} \end{array}

Problem 2:

Explain how to separate a mixture of iron powder and sulfur powder.

Solution:

By using a bar magnet.

Explanation:

When a magnet is brought near the mixture, the iron powder (magnetic) gets attracted to the poles of the magnet and sticks to it. The sulfur powder (non-magnetic) remains on the paper or in the dish. This process can be repeated until all iron is separated.