[iguler]

Hello, I have to separate and determine the masses of Zn, CuSO4 and SiO2 from their solid mixture. I though maybe I can add water to the mixture so

Zn(s)+CuSO4(s)-> ZnSO4(aq) +Cu(s)

CuSO4(s)-> Cu(aq)+SO4(aq)

And maybe filtrate and add HCl?

Please help, I have Lab Session in two hours.

[Arkcon]

Hello, I have to separate and determine the masses of Zn, CuSO4 and SiO2 from their solid mixture.

Great.  Let's write a plan together.

I though maybe I can add water to the mixture so

Sounds good.  But what will that do for you?

Zn(s)+CuSO4(s)-> ZnSO4(aq) +Cu(s)

CuSO4(s)-> Cu(aq)+SO4(aq)

Adding water to the mixture will not do that.

And maybe filtrate and add HCl?

You will not formulate a plan, in a reasonable time frame, with random guessing.

Please help, I have Lab Session in two hours.

Annnd, that's not a reasonable time frame.

OK.  Time for me to put on my Moderator: hat.  Some new people hate this, but I wouldn't be doin' ma jerb if I don't let people know ...

Greetings, iguler:, I'd like to welcome you to the Chemical Forums, I can see you're new here, but I want to ask you to review our Forum Rules{click}.  You already accepted the rules when you signed up for our forum, and you have to follow them, whether you agree with them or not, or even if you're unaware of them.

We want to see you do some work, on your own, and we'll help.  We don't dump complete answers, not for anyone, not for a high school student, nor a hard-working professional, nor even the home chemist working on their newest invention.

*Ahem*

The three components have different physical and chemical properties.  Build a table, for each, of these physical and chemical properties, so you can see them all and you can formulate a plan.

[Enthalpy]

"Determine the masses of Zn, CuSO4 and SiO2 from their solid mixture"
doesn't necessarily imply to "separate" them, though separation would suffice.

Could some chemical react with only one component of the mix, and make a product whose amount is measurable separately and reveals the quantity of that one component?