Form 4 Chemistry Mixtures and Separation 1 Ms. S.

Ramkissoon

Matter can be classified according the diagram below:

Useful links:
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=DZ6Ap8Zyb9w

https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=L3NEXz9iryc

Definitions to learn:

1. Pure Substance is composed of a single type of material only

2. Atoms are the smallest particles in which an element can be divided.

3. Molecules are a group of atoms, which are bonded together and exist as separate units.
The atoms making up the molecules can be the same or different.

4. An element is a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by
any chemical process.

Elements may consist of individual atoms of the same kind

For example: a) Copper (Cu) Metal is made of Cu atoms only OR b) Molecules
composed of the same atoms e.g. Oxygen molecules of made up of 2 oxygen atoms O2

The periodic table is a chart that shows all the elements along with their symbol. There
are approximately 104 elements.

These elements are classified as metals, non-metals and metalloids.

5. A compound is a substance containing two or more different types of elements bonded

together chemically in fixed proportions in such a way that their properties are changed.

6. A mixture consists of two or more substances not chemically combined in varying

proportions. Each component has its own independent properties.

Because the components in a mixture have its own properties, various separation
techniques can be used to separation each component.

Important Note: In chemistry a substance has both physical and chemical properties.

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Form 4 Chemistry Mixtures and Separation 1 Ms. S.Ramkissoon

Characteristics of Pure Substances, Mixtures and Compounds

A pure substance has a fixed melting and boiling points. Impurities lower the m.p and
raise the b.p of pure substances

The presence of impurities causes the b.p.

of water to increase.

Look carefully diagrams a and b, identify which is pure compound and mixture

Answer:

Homogenous and Heterogeneous Mixtures

Homo – same Hetero – different

A homogeneous mixture is one in which the composition is uniform throughout e.g salt
and water is a homogeneous mixture

A heterogeneous mixture is a mixture in which the composition is not uniform

throughout the mixture. E.g. sand and water

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Form 4 Chemistry Mixtures and Separation 1 Ms. S.Ramkissoon

Element Pure substance Mixture Compound

Distilled water
Soda water
Ketchup
Salt and water
Sand and water
Muddy water
Smoke
Pollen grains in
water
Air
Sugar
Salt
Copper metal
Brass
Steel
Nitrogen gas

Solutions, Suspensions and Colloids

Solutions

When sugar and water are mixed together a homogenous solution is formed. The sugar is
solute and the water is the solvent.

The solute is usually in a smaller quantity while the solvent is in the larger quantity.

A solution can be defined as a homogenous mixture of two or more substances. These

substances can be solid, liquid or gas.

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Form 4 Chemistry Mixtures and Separation 1 Ms. S.Ramkissoon

Suspensions

A suspension is a heterogeneous mixture in which solid or liquids particles are suspended

in a solid, liquid or gas.

In suspensions:
 When suspensions are allowed to stand, the components “settle” and separate out
(Sedimentation)

 The particles in a suspension are larger than those found in solutions and colloids
 A suspension appears opaque and its scatters light
 A suspension can be separated by filtration

Colloids

A colloid is a heterogeneous mixture in which particles of one component are dispersed

in another component. These particles can be solid, liquid or gas.

Colloids are intermediate between solutions and suspensions.

Important notes about colloids:

1. The particles of one component don’t dissolve in another.

2. The particles don’t separate out on standing.

3. Emulsions, Aerosols, Gels and foams are types of colloids.

a) Emulsions are formed when one liquid is dispersed in another

b) Foams are a gas dispersed in liquid
c) Aerosols are very tiny liquids dispersed in a liquid.

4. Filtration & sedimentation cannot be used to separate a colloid

5. The size of the particles is intermediate between solutions and suspensions.

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Form 4 Chemistry Mixtures and Separation 1 Ms. S.Ramkissoon