What is Chemical Mixtures? | Types, Definition, Structure, Function & Facts
What is Chemical Mixtures?
One of the main aspects of chemistry is the combination of different substances. Sometimes the combination of substances can cause a chemical reaction and the bonding creates an entirely new substance called a compound. However, sometimes there is no chemical reaction or bonding. In this case, a mixture is formed from the combined substances.
Mixture
A mixture is created when two or more substances are combined, but they are not chemically combined.
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General properties of a mixture:
- The components of the mixture can be easily separated
- Each element retains their original properties
- The proportions of ingredients are subject to change
Types of Mixtures
There are two main types of mixtures: homogeneous mixtures and heterogeneous mixtures. In a homogeneous mixture, all substances are evenly distributed in the mixture (salt water, air, blood). In a heterogeneous mixture, the substances are not evenly distributed (chocolate cookies, pizza, ice)
Within the types of homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures, there are more specific types of mixtures including solutions, alloys, suspensions, and colloids.
Solutions (homogeneous)
A solution is a mixture where one of the substances dissolves in the other. The substance that dissolves is called the solute. The substance that does not dissolve is called the solvent.
An example of a solution is salt water. These components can be easily separated through evaporation and they each retain their original properties. However, the salt is dissolved into the water to where you can’t see it and it is evenly distributed in the water. In this example the water is the solvent and the salt is the solute.
What is the difference between a Solution and a Mixture?
In chemistry, a solution is actually a kind of mixture. A solution is a mixture that is identical or uniform everywhere. Consider the example of salt water. This is also known as a “homogeneous mixture”. A mixture is not a solution that is not uniform everywhere. Think of the example of sand in water. This is also known as “heterogeneous mixture”.
Alloys (homogeneous)
Alloys are mixtures of elements with metallic properties. At least one of the mixed elements is a metal. An example of an alloy is steel made from a mixture of iron and carbon.
Suspensions (heterogeneous)
A suspension is a combination of a liquid and debris of a strong. In this case, the debris do now no longer dissolve. The debris and the liquid are jumbled in this kind of manner that the debris are dispersed with inside the liquid. They are “suspended” with inside the liquid.
A key function of suspensions is that the strong debris settle and separate over the years if left alone. An instance of a suspension is a combination of water and sand. When mixed, the sand disperses withinside the water. If left alone, the sand will settle to the bottom.
Colloids (heterogeneous)
Colloids are mixtures in which very small particles of one substance are evenly distributed in another. They are very similar to solutions, but the particles are suspended in solution rather than completely dissolved. The difference between colloid and suspension is that the particles do not settle to the bottom within a certain time, they remain in suspension or floating.
An example of a colloid is milk. Milk is a mixture of liquid fat particles that are dispersed and suspended in water.
Colloids are generally considered to be heterogeneous mixtures, but also possess certain qualities of homogeneous mixtures.
Interesting Facts about Mixtures
Tap water is a mixture of water and other particles. Purified water or H2O is often referred to as distilled water.
Many of the substances we come into contact with on a daily basis are mixtures, including the air we breathe, which is a mixture of gases like oxygen and nitrogen.
Blood is a mixture that can be separated by a machine called a centrifuge into two main parts: plasma and red blood cells.
Mixtures can be liquids, gases and solids.