Homogeneous & Heterogeneous Mixtures
- A mixture is a material that can be separated by physical means into two or more substances
- For example, when you dissolve sodium chloride in water, you obtain a mixture whose composition depends on the amount of sodium chloride dissolved
- This mixture can be separated into its components by the physical process of distillation
- Mixtures are classified into two types:
- Heterogeneous mixtures which consist of physically distinct components with different properties
- For example, a mixture of potassium dichromate and iron filings which can be separated by the use of a magnet
- Homogeneous mixtures, also known as solution consist of components with uniform properties
- Air is an example of a homogeneous mixture of 78 % nitrogen and 21% oxygen gas as well as other gases
- Heterogeneous mixtures which consist of physically distinct components with different properties
- A solution is a homogeneous mixture made up of:
- The substance being dissolved, the solute
- A medium of dissolution, the solvent
- Solutions exist in three physical states:
- Solids, e.g alloys
- Liquids, e.g sodium chloride in water
- Liquid solutions where the solute is an ionic compound and the solvent is water are known as aqueous solutions
- Gaseous, e.g air
- A colloid is similar to a solution in that it appears to be homogeneous like a solution
- However, it consists of comparatively large particles of one substance dispersed throughout another substance or solution
