Question

Name a suitable technique of separation of the components from a mixture of calcium sulphate and camphor.

Answer 1

A mixture of camphor and CaSO₄ can be separated as:

(a) Camphor is sublimable but CaSO₄ is not, therefore, sublimation of the mixture gives camphor on the sides of the funnel while CaSO₄ is left in the china dish.

(b) Camphor is soluble in organic solvents like CHCl₃, CCl₄ etc. while CaSO₄ is not. Therefore, when the mixture is shaken with the solvent, camphor goes into the solution while CaSO₄ remains as residue. It is filtered and evaporation of the solvent gives camphor.