Extraction - GCSE Chemistry Definition

Extraction in chemistry is the process of separating a substance from a mixture or compound. It often involves using a liquid, called a solvent, to dissolve the desired material while leaving the rest behind. For example, when extracting salt from seawater, water evaporates to leave salt crystals. Extraction is important because it helps us obtain useful materials, such as metals from ores, oils from plants, or pure chemicals from mixtures. This process is key in various real-world applications, including medicine, food production, and environmental management.