Mixtures – A Fusion of Substances
In chemistry, when two or more substances interact with each other, it results in the formation of a Mixture. The result formed due to the combination of substances does not lose its individuality nor are they combined chemically. There are two types of mixtures:
- Homogeneous: Sugar mixed in water is the most common example of a homogeneous mixture. Homogeneous mixtures can be defined as the mixtures which possess the same properties and combination throughout their mass.
- Heterogeneous: A mixture of sand mixed with salt is an example of a heterogeneous mixture. Heterogeneous mixtures possess different properties and compositions in various parts that are the properties are not uniform throughout the mixture.
Characteristics of Mixtures:
- There is no chemical force acting between the two or more substances that are mixed, but they still exist together.
- They can either be heterogeneous or homogeneous in nature.
- The proportions of the substances vary in an indefinite manner.
- The properties of the mixture depend upon the individual components.
- The constituents of the mixture can be separated by physical methods.
- Boiling point and melting point of the mixture depends upon the characteristic of the constituents.
- During the formation of mixture, there is no change in the energy.
- All the states of matter (solid, liquid, gases) can combine to form mixtures.
It can be concluded that almost everything in our vicinity is nothing but a mixture. For example: the food we eat is a mixture of ingredients, the atmospheric air we breathe is a combination of gases and the fuel we use in locomotives is a heterogeneous mixture.
