We were given a sample of mummion in the form of dried mud from a lake; the aim of the practical was to purify the sample and separate it from the insoluble impurities into the form of mummion salt.
Context
A long time ago mummion was used to preserve the bodies of ‘mummies’ in ancient Egypt, mummion along with other naturally occurring preservatives was used to treat the organs before the bodies were wrapped. This purification practical happens very often, for example salt can be filtered from sea water and sold for everyday use.
Method
First I put safety procedures in place such as wearing lab coats and wearing safety goggles. Approximately 4g of the dried mummion mud was put into a beaker using a spatula then put into a beaker. 75ml of distilled water was added. The mummion mud then had to be dissolved in the distilled water by stirring leaving the sand and iron (III) oxide. It then has to be filtered. After folding we placed the fluted filter paper into a funnel, the mud was placed into the top. The funnel was then placed on to a conical flask.
After some time the mud will filter through in the form of a liquid. This is then put into a evaporation dish. Then the dish placed this evaporation dish on top of the tripod over a lit Bunsen burner on the blue flame. After a short amount of time turn the Bunsen burner off leaving approximately 15ml. Then, the mummion has to be left until white crystals form in the dish Equipment
Results and conclusion
Once the substance had been filtered, it results in a clear liquid, however we compared with other groups who did the same practical and a few of those had very slightly pink liquid when they filtered the mud, this may be sign of slight contamination.
Analysis
We used fluted filter paper to increase the filter area; this should filter slightly more effective in filtering and also filters more quickly.
