A filter on a brass pipe

Usually, matter is not found as pure substances; instead, it is usually found in complex mixtures. In order to isolate substances from one another, it is necessary to have a good understanding of the physical properties of each substance and how to use those properties to help separate the mixture. Some mixtures can be separated based on particle size, density, or magnetism. In this topic, you will explore the different separation techniques used by scientists and researchers to isolate matter into pure substances.

Essential Question

• How can mixtures be separated into pure substances?