Big Idea: Mixtures and solutions are fundamentally related but solutions are a special kind of

mixture. Mixtures are not chemically combined while solutions are completely mixed together
but can be easily separated. Both mixtures and solutions have characteristics identifiable with
separation methods.
Objectives:

Students will be able to construct their own definitions of mixture and solution
and provide examples, noting obvious differences.
Students will be able to perform several separation methods including sifting,
floatation, and evaporation.
Students will be able to choose which separation method is appropriate for
various mixtures and solutions.

Assessment:

I will look at student generated definitions of mixture and solution. Students need to
mention that mixtures retain their properties and are still separate substances.
Solutions contain completely mixed substances that cannot be distinguished.
I will observe students ability to separate mixtures using a coffee filter.
I will observe students ability to separate mixtures using the evaporation method.
Students will be provided with examples of mixtures and solutions in worksheet form
and need to identify which method is most practical.

Graphic Organizer:
I.

Mixtures and Solutions

a. Mixtures
i. Combination of two or more materials that retain own properties (not
chemically combined)
1. Examples: Fruit Salad, Vegetable Salad
ii. Mixtures have identifiable characteristics
1. Size
2. Shape
3. Color Smell
4. Texture
iii. Formed by combining materials (can be separated)
b. Solutions
i. Combination of materials mixed completely
1. Examples: Lemonade with sugar, Saltwater
ii. Can be described as soluble or concentrated
1. Soluble: has the ability to be dissolved
2. Concentrated: contains large amounts of a particular substance

iii. Special mixture where one material seems to disappear in another

1. Solvent: substance doing dissolving
a. Example: Water
2. Solute: substance to be dissolved
a. Example: Sugar
c. Separating
i. Sifting
1. Separate larger materials from smaller ones
2. Smaller materials pass through, leaving the larger materials
ii. Floatation
1. Use a liquid to separate materials of different densities
2. The less dense material will float
iii. Evaporation
1. Liquids will evaporate from the mixtures
2. Only solids will remain
d. Definitions
i. Saturation
1. No more material will dissolve (the rest settles at bottom)
ii. Dissolving
1. Process in which a solid appears to disappear in a solvent
iii. Concentration
1. Comparison of the amount of dissolved material and the liquid