Distillation

Lab Brief #6

🎯 Your mission

Predict it first. Then prove yourself right (or wrong).

⚡ The twist

Color changes mean atoms are rearranging — even if you can't see them.

What you'll learn

Distillation separates mixtures based on different boiling points. Heating salt water causes water to evaporate and condense, leaving salt behind and producing fresh water.

Key words

endothermic
A reaction that soaks up heat and makes things feel colder.
exothermic
A reaction that gives off heat to its surroundings.

Make a hypothesis first

Before you mix: what color do you think it'll turn?

Say your guess out loud — then find out if you were right.

Get ready

🧰 What you need

salt

⚠️ Safety first

Keep strong magnets away from phones, bank cards and anyone with a pacemaker.
Mop up spills straight away so nobody slips, and keep liquids away from sockets.

Step 1 of 4 · Read

Look at the vocabulary words and write a definition for each in your own words.

Step 2 of 4 · Do

Separate a mixture of sand, salt, and iron filings using a magnet, water, and a filter. Record each step and what you separated.

Step 3 of 4 · Observe

Watch carefully for any changes and note the time.

Step 4 of 4 · Record

Create a data table to organize your measurements.

Question 1 of 3

Which method separates mixtures based on boiling points?

How sure are you?😐 maybe

Question 2 of 3

What is the boiling point of water in Celsius?

How sure are you?😐 maybe

Question 3 of 3

What happens to particle motion when matter is heated?

How sure are you?😐 maybe

Mind = blown

🧪 If you could remove all the empty space from atoms, the entire human race would fit in a sugar cube.

Nice work!

You got 0 of 3 right.

Next: Catalysts and Enzymes All lessons

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✨ More to explore

🌍 Where you see this in real life: Your toothpaste, your soap, even your breakfast involves this.

🏆 Stretch challenge (try it this week): Ask a grown-up to help you mix two safe kitchen things. Predict what will happen first.

👨‍👩‍👧 For the dinner table: “What's something we cook that mixes things together this way?”

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