MIXTURES AND

SEPARATIONS
TOPIC 2
Changes in state
CLASSIFICATION OF MATTER
Pure substances

A Pure substance is defined as a substance that is composed of a single type of material only. Characteristics of a pure
substance include:

• Its composition is fixed and constant

• Its physical properties such as M.P., B.P. and density is fixed and constant

• A pure substance cannot be separated by any physical process.

ELEMENTS, MOLECULES AND COMPOUNDS are pure substances

Pure substances- Elements and compounds
An Element is a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by using any ordinary
physical or chemical process. Eg O, N, Al, Ag, Au, Pb, Fe.

A Compound is a pure substance that is formed from 2 or more different types of elements which are
chemically bonded to each other in fixed proportions and in a way that their properties have changed. E.g.
CO2, H2O. E.g. C(s) + O2(g) CO2(g)
MIXTURES

A mixture consists of 2 or more substances which are physically

combined together in variable proportions. Each component keeps its
individual properties and is not chemically bonded to any other
component in the mixture.

Characteristics of a mixture include:

• Variable Composition (Homogenous or Heterogenous)
• Variable properties due to components retaining their individual properties
• Its components can be separated using different separation techniques.
→ Homogenous mixtures (homo- same) is a mixture
that is uniform in its composition and properties
throughout. It is impossible to distinguish individual
components from each other. Solutions are
homogenous mixtures.

→ Heterogenous mixtures (hetero- different) is a

mixture that has a non-uniform composition, making
it possible to distinguish individual components from
each other. Suspensions and colloids are
heterogenous mixtures.
Solutions

→ A Solution is a homogenous mixture consisting of 2 or more substances. The solute is the substance which dissolves
in the liquid, and the solvent is the liquid which dissolves the substances.

→ Aqueous solution - When the solvent is water, the solution is called an aqueous solution and is used as (aq) in
chemical reactions. E.g. CuSO4(aq)

→ Saturated solution- A solution in which the solvent cannot dissolve any more solute at a particular temperature, in
the presence of undissolved solute.

Solute (solid copper

Sulphate)
Solution (aqueous
Copper sulphate)

Solvent (water)
Suspensions
→Suspensions are heterogenous mixtures in which
minute visible particles of one substance is dispersed in
Type of Example another.
Suspension
Solid in Liquid Chalk and Water →A solid/liquid suspension will form a sediment

Liquid in Liquid Oil and Water

Solid in Gas Dust
Colloids

→ Colloids are heterogenous mixtures in which minute particles of one substance are dispersed in another substance
which is usually a liquid. The dispersed particles are larger than those of a solution but smaller than those of a
suspension.
→Tyndall Effect
Distinguishing between mixtures
Identify mixtures, and pure compounds

→ Mixtures: A, F, I Elements: D, E, H Compounds: B, C, G