GLE 0307.12.1 Explore how magnets attract objects made of certain metals.

GLE 0307.9.3 Describe diff erent methods to separate mixtures.

0307.9.4 Classify combinations of materials according to whether they have retained or lost their individual properties.

0307.9.5 Investigate diff erent ways to separate mixtures such as fi ltration, evaporation, settling, or using a sieve.

Separating Iron from Breakfast Cereal

Yes! We eat certain metals, we need them in fact. They are important for our bodies.

Have you ever noticed the iron in your breakfast cereal?

Fe

The adult human body actually has enough iron in it to make two small nails!

Take a look at the crushed cereal in your bag. Examine it for traces of Fe(iron), which are dark in color.

Do you have any ideas about how we could break the cereal down further, making the particles smaller?

Lets see if we can see the iron-

What do you think the water is doing to the cereal? Do you think this will help us separate the iron?

Once you have added water to your cereal, please squish your mixture around in the bag. Be careful not to open it.

Now take your magnet and rub it around over one side of the bag.

Remove the magnet and look to see what is underneath.