Classifying Matter:

Elements, Compounds, and

Mixtures

8 Science
Pure Substances

• A sample of matter that has definite chemical and physical

properties.
Elements

• pure substance that cannot be separated into simpler substance by

physical or chemical means.
Compounds

Pure substance composed of two or more different

elements joined by chemical bonds.

• Made of elements in a specific ratio

that is always the same
• Has a chemical formula
• Can only be separated by
chemical means, not physically
 Mixtures
• A combination of two or more pure substances that are not
chemically combined.
• substances held together by physical forces, not chemical
• No color, gas or heat change takes place
• Each item retains its properties in the mixture
• They can be separated physically

Chem4kids.com
One Element The Same Element
(Gas) (Solid)
 Another element A mixture of two
This one likes to go elements
round in pairs as a gas
(molecules)
This is not a mixture,
it is a COMPOUND This is just a
of two different mixture of two
elements elements
Element, Compound
or Mixture ?
Element, Compound
or Mixture ?

Element
Element, Compound
or Mixture ?
Element, Compound
or Mixture ?

Element
Element, Compound
or Mixture ?
Element, Compound
or Mixture ?

Mixture
Element, Compound
or Mixture ?
Element, Compound
or Mixture ?

Mixture
Element, Compound
or Mixture ?
Element, Compound
or Mixture ?

Compound
Element, Compound
or Mixture ?
Element, Compound
or Mixture ?

Compound
Element, Compound
or Mixture ?
Element, Compound
or Mixture ?

A mixture of a
compound and
an element
What do we call these
things?

An Atom

3 Atoms
What do we call these
things?

6 Atoms which
happen to be of 3
different elements
What do we call these
things?

A Molecule

Yes, it also happens to be

2 atoms joined together
but we don’t call it “2
atoms joined together”
we say it is one molecule
What do we call these
things?

A Molecule of a
compound

2 molecules of a
compound
What about when all
the atoms are stuck
together like in a
solid element?
This is just a load of
atoms in a solid
element, it is not a
big molecule
 Finally, just to confuse you even more,
science teachers like talking about

Particles
Particle is just a fancy name for individual
things. These individual things could be
atoms, molecules, lumps of soil, grains of
sand, bits of metal. It doesn’t matter
because particle is just a general word
which is used when we don’t (or can’t) want
to be exact about the type of things being
described.
 A good example of when science
teachers use the word particle is when
talking about air.

Air is a mixture of elements such as

oxygen, argon and nitrogen mixed with
compounds such as carbon dioxide
 Some of the elements in air go around
as single atoms (such as argon).

Or as molecules such as oxygen.

Compounds go around as molecules.

 That’s why we talk about particles
because it saves the bother of
describing exactly what sort of things
they are.
Can you identify the following?

You will be shown a series of photos. Tell if each photo

represents an item composed of an element, compound, or
mixture.
Review:
• An element contains just one type of atom.
• A compound contains two or more different atoms joined
together.
• A mixture contains two or more different substances that
are only physically joined together, not chemically.
• A mixture can contain both elements and compounds.
Element, Compound, or Mixture?
Rocks
Element, Compound, or Mixture?

Copper
Element, Compound, or Mixture?

Jelly Beans
Element, Compound, or Mixture?

Table Sugar
Element, Compound, or Mixture?

Diamond
Element, Compound, or Mixture?

Tea
Element, Compound, or Mixture?

Salt
Element, Compound, or Mixture?

Neon Gas