Describe the best method for separating a mixture of sand, salt, and steel shavings by placing the steps below in the correct order. Heat the mixture to evaporate the water. Pour the mixture through a filter to separate the sand. Pass a magnet over the mixture to remove the steel. Add water to the sand/salt mixture and stir to dissolve the salt.

The following is the correct order in which the mixture of sand, salt and steel can be separated:

1. Pass a magnet over the mixture to remove the steel.

2. Add the water to the sand/salt mixture and stir to dissolve the salt.

3. Heat the mixture to evaporate the water.

4. Then finally pour the mixture through a filter to separate the sand.

A mixture is a substance that contains two or more components which are mixed together but they are not chemically combined to each other.

For example, sand, salt and steel shavings in water is a mixture.

So, in order to separate its components we can do the following.

Step 1: Pass a magnet over the mixture to remove the steel. As this will remove steel from mixture.

After that, adding water will make a solution in which sand and salt are present.

Step 2: Add water to the sand/salt mixture and stir to dissolve the salt.

Step 3: Pour the mixture through a filter to separate the sand.

Step 4: Heat the mixture to evaporate the water.

Thus, we can conclude that correct order to separate the given mixture is 3, 4, 2, 1.