[MentalMystics]

Hello everyone!

I just did an experiment with NaCl, NH4Cl, and SiO2. The purpose was to seperate the substances so first I sublimed the NH4Cl leaving me with just NaCl and SiO2. I seperated the two by extracting since sand is not water soluble. Now they're all seperated.

My question is, would the experiment have worked if I had done it in a different order? For example, if I extracted first then sublimed, would I have gotten the same results?

[Borek]

Generally yes, although it is not always true and a lot may depend on the techniques used.

[billnotgatez]

Sometimes order is important when you want the easiest way
let us assume that the NH4Cl dissolves in water as well.
Would it not be more difficult to dry both NaCl and NH4Cl than to sublime NH4Cl in the first place?