Kriezah Mae I.

Floresca
BS Criminology- 2B

Classification of Matter based on Composition

Matter

Separation by Mixture
Pure Substances
physical methods

Separation by
Elements chemical Compounds Homogeneous Heterogeneous
methods

Matter is classified into two broad categories, namely, pure substances and mixtures. Mixtures can be
separated into pure substances by physical methods. Pure substances are further divided into categories as
elements and compounds. Similarly, mixtures are also classified into types; homogeneous mixtures and
heterogeneous mixtures.

A pure substance can be either an element or a compound. First of all, the elements are the building
blocks of our nature. An element is a substance that is either discovered in nature or synthesized in the
laboratory in pure form that cannot be separated into simpler substances by chemical methods. Currently, there
are about 118 elements discovered; some are found in nature and some are man-made. In order to call it as an
element, its properties must unique; no two elements are alike. Elements carry the names and symbols.

Examples of an element:

Aluminum Al Oxygen O
Iron (ferrum) Fe* Potassium (Kalium) K*
Mercury (Hydragyrum) Hg* Silver (Argentum) Ag*

*derived from the Latin names, Latin names are given in parenthesis

A compound is the substance formed by the chemical union of two or more elements in a definite ratio,
which is fixed by the nature. We cannot change this ratio no matter what who does it. For example, water is
made up of one part oxygen and two parts hydrogen. This ratio is fixed by the nature and we cannot alter this.
When the compound is formed, altogether a new substance is formed and properties of which are quite different
from its reacting elements. Like elements, compounds also carry names and symbols. Compounds can be
separated into elements, using chemical methods but not the physical methods.
Examples of chemical compounds:

●Water (H2O, consisting of 2 hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom)

●Carbon dioxide (CO2, consisting of one carbon atom and 2 oxygen atoms)
●Sodium Chloride (NaCl, consisting of one sodium atom and one chloride atom)
●Methane (CH4, consisting of one carbon atom and 4 hydrogen atoms)

A mixture is a physical combination of two or more substances retain their original identity. The
most important aspect of mixture is that it has no definite or constant composition. Mixture is further
classified as either homogeneous or heterogeneous based upon its uniformity. A homogeneous mixture
is a solution that has a uniform consistency throughout, for example, a salt solution after dissolving and
mixing it thoroughly. Not only that but also the individual components cannot be identified. A
heterogeneous mixture does not have uniform composition like homogeneous mixture where the
individual composition can be identified, for example, a mixture of sand and salt.

Examples of Homogeneous mixture:

●A bottle of alcohol is a man-made homogeneous mixture.

●In the human body, blood plasma is an example of a homogeneous mixture. This is a colorless
fluid that holds the blood cells in suspension. It makes up a little more than half of the volume of human
body.
●The perfume or cologne we use to smell good is a perfectly homogeneous mixture of chemical
and dyes.
●Gunpowder, which is used in a variety of explosives, is actually a homogeneous mixture of
elements like sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter (also known as potassium nitrate).
●The bottle of vegetable oil so often used in cooking is a homogeneous mixture.

Examples of Heterogeneous mixture:

●The Pacific Ocean is a huge example of heterogeneous mixture, with all type of plantsand
animals floating around haphazardly, suspended in the salt water.
●A bowl of oatmeal with raisins is a heterogeneous mixture.
●Soil is an example of a heterogeneous mixture that combines many different elements which
are not uniform.
●Smog is a heterogeneous mixture of various particles suspended in the air. The dirty particles
that make up the smog can be removed from the air and breathed into the lungs, making smog quite a
problematic heterogeneous mixture.
●Sand is a heterogeneous mixture of rock, shells, metals, and other elements, which can be
separated from each other by methods like sifting.