Which property could allow a student to easily separate sand and iron filings? melting point magnetism boiling point solubility

One fun and fascinating way to separate sand from iron filings is through the property of magnetism! Since iron is magnetic and sand is not, you can easily use a magnet to attract the iron filings away from the sand. Just glide a magnet over the mixture, and voilà! The iron filings cling to the magnet, leaving behind the sand for you to collect. Now, let’s dive into a common mistake that beginners might make when attempting this separation. Many might think they can simply pour the mixture through a sieve, but because both materials are granular, the sand will fall right through with the iron filings. Remember, using a magnet is the key here, and saves you from that pesky sand shower!