What is chemical mixture?

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kevin Fri, Jan 14, 2022 09:44 PM UTC

One of the main aspects of chemistry is combining different substances. Sometimes combining substances can cause a chemical reaction and bonding which creates an entirely new substance called a compound.

1. Chemical Mixtures
One of the main aspects of chemistry is combining different substances. Sometimes
combining substances can cause a chemical reaction and bonding which creates an
entirely new substance called a compound. However, sometimes there is no chemical
reaction or bonding. In this case, a mixture is formed from the combined substances.
A mixture is made when two or more substances are combined, but they are not
combined chemically.
General properties of a mixture:
● The components of a mixture can be easily separated
● The components each keep their original properties
● The proportion of the components is variable
Types of Mixtures
There are two main categories of mixtures: homogeneous mixtures and heterogeneous
mixtures. In a homogenous mixture all the substances are evenly distributed throughout
the mixture (salt water, air, blood). In a heterogeneous mixture the substances are not
evenly distributed (chocolate chip cookies, pizza, rocks)

2. Within the categories of homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures there are more
specific types of mixtures including solutions, alloys, suspensions, and colloids.
Solutions (homogeneous)
A solution is a mixture where one of the substances dissolves in the other. The
substance that dissolves is called the solute. The substance that does not dissolve is
called the solvent.
An example of a solution is salt water. These components can be easily separated
through evaporation and they each retain their original properties. However, the salt is
dissolved into the water to where you can't see it and it is evenly distributed in the water.
In this example the water is the solvent and the salt is the solute.
What is the difference between a solution and a mixture?
In chemistry a solution is actually a type of mixture. A solution is a mixture that is the
same or uniform throughout. Think of the example of salt water. This is also called a
"homogenous mixture." A mixture that is not a solution is not uniform throughout. Think
of the example of sand in water. This is also called a "heterogeneous mixture."
Alloys (homogeneous)
An alloy is a mixture of elements that has the characteristic of a metal. At least one of
the elements mixed is a metal. One example of an alloy is steel which is made from a
mixture of iron and carbon.
Suspensions (heterogeneous)
A suspension is a mixture between a liquid and particles of a solid. In this case the
particles do not dissolve. The particles and the liquid are mixed up so that the particles
are dispersed throughout the liquid. They are "suspended" in the liquid. A key
characteristic of a suspension is that the solid particles will settle and separate over time
if left alone.
An example of a suspension is a mixture of water and sand. When mixed up, the sand
will disperse throughout the water. If left alone, the sand will settle to the bottom.
Colloids (heterogeneous)
A colloid is a mixture where very small particles of one substance are evenly distributed
throughout another substance. They appear very similar to solutions, but the particles
are suspended in the solution rather than fully dissolved. The difference between a
colloid and a suspension is that the particles will not settle to the bottom over a period of
time, they will stay suspended or float.

3. An example of a colloid is milk. Milk is a mixture of liquid butterfat globules dispersed
and suspended in water.
Colloids are generally considered heterogeneous mixtures, but have some qualities of
homogeneous mixtures as well.
Interesting Facts about Mixtures
● Smoke is a mixture of particles that are suspended in the air.
● Tap water is a mixture of water and other particles. Pure water or H2O is
generally referred to as distilled water.
● Many of the substances we come into contact with every day are mixtures
including the air we breathe which is a mixture of gases like oxygen and nitrogen.
● Blood is a mixture that can be separated by a machine called a centrifuge into
its two main parts: plasma and red blood cells.
● Mixtures can be liquids, gases, and solids.

4. Chemical Mixtures Quiz
1. Which of the following best describes a chemical mixture?
a. A compound made from different elements
b. A substance made through chemical bonding
c. When two substances are combined, but are not chemically bonded
d. All of the above
e. None of the Above
2. Which of the following is NOT a property of a mixture?
a. The components can be easily separated
b. The original properties of the combined substances are changed
c. The proportion of the components is variable
d. Two or more substances are combined
e. All of the Above
3. Which of the following is an example of a homogeneous mixture?
a. Salt water
b. Blood
c. Metal alloys
d. Air
e. All of the Above
4. In what type of mixture are the substances evenly distributed throughout the mixture?
a. Homogeneous
b. Heterogeneous
c. All types of mixtures
d. No types of mixtures
5. What is the substance that dissolves in a solution called?
a. Solvent
b. Alloy
c. Suspension
d. Solute
e. Colloid
6. Salt water is an example of what type of mixture?
a. Alloy
b. Suspension

5. c. Solution
d. Colloid
e. Heterogeneous
7. Which of the following statements is true about mixtures and solutions?
a. Solutions are heterogeneous mixtures
b. A solution is a type of mixture
c. All mixtures are solutions
d. All of the above
e. None of the Above
8. What type of mixture is steel?
a. Alloy
b. Suspension
c. Solution
d. Colloid
e. Heterogeneous
9. Which of the following is a mixture between a liquid and a solid where the solid does
not dissolve?
a. Alloy
b. Suspension
c. Solution
d. Colloid
e. None of the Above
10. What type of mixture is milk?
a. Alloy
b. Suspension
c. Solution
d. Colloid
e. None of the Above

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