Separation of Mixtures and

Contents & notes: what this topic covers

Under Separation of Mixtures and, the JAMB Chemistry syllabus expects you to study:

• 1. Separation of Mixtures and Purification of Chemical Substances
• (a) Elements, compounds and mixtures
• (b) Chemical and physical changes
• (c) Pure and impure substances
• (d) Boiling ,density, freezing and melting points
• (e) Separation processes: Evaporation, simple and fractional distillation, sublimation, re-crystallization paper and column chromatography, simple and fractional crystallization, magnetization, decantation, filtration and centrifugation

Study notes & guidance

Study Separation of Mixtures and using a recommended Chemistry textbook that follows the JAMB syllabus. Work through the contents listed above one by one, make brief notes in your own words, and then practise as many questions on this topic as you can — in Chemistry, understanding and steady practice matter far more than memorising. Use the objectives below as a checklist: if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Objectives — candidates should be able to

After studying Separation of Mixtures and, you should be able to:

1. (i) distinguish between elements, compounds and mixture; (ii) differentiate between chemical and physical changes; (iii) distinguish between pure and impure substances; (iv) use boiling and melting points as criteria for purity of chemical substances; (v) identify the properties of the components of a mixture; (vi) specify the principle involved in each , separation method; and (vii) apply the basic principle of separation processes in everyday life.

These objectives are from the official JAMB syllabus. Use them as a checklist — if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Source: official JAMB UTME Chemistry syllabus (IBASS, jamb.gov.ng). Reproduced for study use. Last checked: 17 Sept 2026. Always confirm the current syllabus on the official portal.