Matter, mixtures and separation
Mixtures and solutions, and how we separate the parts of a mixture again. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.
Know it already? Jump straight to the quiz
Mixtures and solutions
In some mixtures you can see the parts, like sand and stones: that is a heterogeneous mixture. Stir sugar into warm water and it dissolves: the sugar particles spread among the water particles. Salt in water is a solution: the salt is the solute and the water is the solvent.
Separation methods
| Mixture | Method |
|---|---|
| Stones and flour | Sieve |
| Sand and water | Filter (pour through a cloth or filter paper) |
| Iron nails and sand | Magnet |
| Salt and water | Let the water evaporate |
| Oil and water | Let it settle and skim off the oil |
| Clean water from salt water | Boil it and cool the steam into water |
Floating, sinking, pressure and heat
- Wood floats and stone sinks: wood is less dense than water.
- Compress a gas and its volume becomes smaller.
- Heat a substance and its particles move faster: it melts or evaporates.
Remember this and test yourself
- A mixture is two or more substances together; pure water is not a mixture.
- A substance that dissolves in water is soluble; the substance that dissolves is the solute.
- Separate by: sieving (stones from flour), filtering (sand from water), a magnet (iron from sand), evaporating (salt from salt water).
- Sugar dissolves faster in hot water, because the particles move faster.
- After separating, each part stays exactly the same substance.
Write these points in your book. Read them again the night before the test.
Choose the separating method by the difference: size → sieve/filter, magnetic → magnet, dissolved → evaporate.
Important words
First say what the word means, then turn the card over.
Match column A to column B
Tap a word in column A, then its meaning in column B. You can also start in column B.
True or false?
Read the question and the answer. Is the answer right? Tap True or False.
Now the real quiz!
The quiz has many more questions on this topic. Every question shows straight away whether you are right and explains why.
Take the quiz: Matter, mixtures and separation- Read one part together and ask your child to tell it back in their own words.
- The ticks (“I know this”) are saved on this device only. We never ask for names or emails.
Follows CAPS for Grade 5 Natural Sciences and Technology. Always check your teacher’s notes and textbook too.