Which type of properties are commonly used to separate mixtures by methods such as distillation and flotation?

• A. Biological properties
• B. Nuclear properties
• C. Chemical properties
• D. Physical properties

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that mixtures can be separated based on differences in certain properties of their components.
2. Recognize that distillation and flotation are separation techniques that rely on differences in physical characteristics, such as boiling point for distillation and density for flotation.
3. Recall that physical properties are characteristics that can be observed or measured without changing the chemical identity of a substance, such as melting point, boiling point, density, and solubility.
4. Contrast physical properties with chemical properties, which involve a substance's ability to undergo chemical changes and form new substances.
5. Conclude that since distillation and flotation separate mixtures without altering the chemical identities of the components, they utilize physical properties.