1.6.4

Mixtures

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Mixtures

A mixture is composed of two or more types of matter that can be present in varying amounts and can be separated by physical changes, such as evaporation.

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Mixtures

  • Mixtures are made of 2 or more substances (elements or compounds) that haven't been chemically combined.
  • Mixtures can be separated and their chemical properties don't change because they have been mixed with another substance.
  • Mixtures contain molecules or formula units of at least two different types.
    • For example, a solution of saltwater is a mixture of salt (NaCl) and water (H2O).
  • Pure substances contain molecules or formula units of just one type.
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Mixtures in everyday life

  • Mixtures are common in everyday life:
    • Air is a mixture of gases, including oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
    • A bowl with both pasta and vegetables in is a mixture.
      • This is because there have been no chemical reactions between the vegetables and the pasta.
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Heterogeneous mixtures

  • A mixture with a composition that varies from point to point is called a heterogeneous mixture.
  • Italian dressing is an example of a heterogeneous mixture.
    • Its composition can vary because it may be prepared from varying amounts of oil, vinegar, and herbs.
  • It is not the same from point to point throughout the mixture—one drop may be mostly vinegar, whereas a different drop may be mostly oil or herbs because the oil and vinegar separate and the herbs settle.
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Homogenous mixtures

  • A homogeneous mixture, also called a solution, exhibits a uniform composition and appears visually the same throughout.
  • An example of a solution is a sports drink, consisting of water, sugar, coloring, flavoring, and electrolytes mixed together uniformly.
    • Each drop of a sports drink tastes the same because each drop contains the same amounts of water, sugar, and other components.

Jump to other topics

1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter

2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure

3Structure - Classification of Matter

3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements

3.2Periodic Trends

3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals

3.4Halogens

3.5Noble gases, group 18

3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic

3.7Functional Group Chemistry

3.8Alkanes

3.9Alcohols

3.10Halogenoalkanes

4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?

5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change

7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis

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