To Separate The Mixture Of Sand And Camphor By The Process Of Sublimation. | Grade Xi

APPARATUS REQUIRED

• Sublimation tube
• Test tube stand
• Bunsen burner
• Sand
• Camphor
• Filter paper
• Beaker
• Thermometer
• Watch glass

CHEMICAL REQUIRED

• Sand
• Camphor

THEORY

Sublimation is a process in which a solid substance directly transforms into a gas or vapor without passing through the liquid phase. In this experiment, camphor undergoes sublimation, leaving behind the sand. Camphor vapor can then condense into a solid on a cooler surface.

PROCESS

1. Place a small amount of sand and camphor mixture in a sublimation tube.
2. Insert the sublimation tube into a test tube stand.
3. Place a filter paper on top of the test tube stand.
4. Light the Bunsen burner and adjust the flame so that it is small and pointed.
5. Hold the sublimation tube over the Bunsen burner flame, keeping the filter paper between the flame and the sublimation tube.
6. Gently heat the sublimation tube, moving it back and forth over the flame.
7. Observe the changes that occur in the sublimation tube.
8. Once the camphor has sublimed, turn off the Bunsen burner.
9. Allow the sublimation tube to cool.
10. Remove the filter paper from the test tube stand.
11. Transfer the camphor from the filter paper to a beaker.
12. Measure the mass of the camphor.
13. Calculate the percentage of camphor in the original mixture.

OBSERVATIONS

• As the sublimation tube is heated, the camphor begins to melt.
• The camphor vapor rises up the sublimation tube.
• The camphor vapor condenses on the filter paper, forming a white solid.
• The sand remains in the sublimation tube.

OBSERVATION TABLE

Substance	Initial Mass (g)	Final Mass (g)	Mass Lost (g)
Camphor and sand mixture	10.00	8.00	2.00
Camphor	2.00

CALCULATION

The percentage of camphor in the original mixture can be calculated using the following formula:

% Camphor = (Mass of camphor / Mass of original mixture) × 100

% Camphor = (2.00 g / 10.00 g) × 100 = 20%

RESULTS

• The camphor was successfully separated from the sand by sublimation.
• The percentage of camphor in the original mixture was 20%.

PRECAUTIONS

• Do not heat the sublimation tube too quickly, as this could cause the camphor to vaporize too rapidly and carry the sand particles with it.
• Do not touch the sublimation tube or the filter paper while they are hot.
• Be careful when handling the Bunsen burner, as it can easily cause burns.