G7 science students experimented with the term ‘purity’ this week in the chemistry lab. The term ‘purity’ is often used in everyday language. But in chemistry it’s all about atoms and molecules. A substance that is pure has only the atoms and molecules of that substance. There are ways to test substances for purity and that is just what the G7s did.
A simple chromatography experiment allows students to visually see both pure and mixed colored substances. Through placing a drop of the substance to be tested on a piece of filter paper and dipping it into water, in a short time, the mixture of colors will be exposed. Through this separation of mixed colors students began to see how chemicals mix together to create new substances. It was a good first hand experience with what it means for something to be pure and impure. It was a good first hand experience with what it means for something to be pure and impure.
