in an experiment, step 1 to 3 are carried out on a sample of rock salt, which contains sodium chloride and sand. briefly describe the purpose of each step. step 1 is grounding the rock salt. step 2 is dissolving it over a Bunsen burner. step 3 is filtering the mixture

Step 1: Grounding the rock salt The purpose of this step is to break down the rock salt into smaller particles. By grinding the rock salt, it increases the surface area, making it easier for the subsequent steps to dissolve and separate the sodium chloride and sand.

Step 2: Dissolving the rock salt over a Bunsen burner The purpose of this step is to dissolve the sodium chloride in water. By heating the mixture over a Bunsen burner, the heat energy helps to speed up the dissolution process. This step allows the sodium chloride to separate from the sand, as the sand is insoluble and remains as a solid.

Step 3: Filtering the mixture The purpose of this step is to separate the dissolved sodium chloride from the insoluble sand. By using a filter, the mixture is poured through it, allowing the liquid (containing the dissolved sodium chloride) to pass through while retaining the solid sand particles. This step helps to obtain a clear solution of sodium chloride, which can be further processed or analyzed.