Elements, Compounds and Mixtures

 

Elements and Compounds

 

Chemistry is the study of different types of materials and their properties. We notice diverse chemical substances and elements all around us. It is consequently critical to classify and categorize them in order to study, analyse, and comprehend their qualities. Elements, compounds, and mixtures are the three types of matter. Elements and compounds are pure chemical substances found in nature. Whereas mixtures are impure substances in our environment. We will learn more about elements and compounds, their types and the differences between them in the article below. 

 

What are Elements and Compounds ?

 

An element is a pure substance which consists of identical atoms or molecules with only one core of an atom. 

A compound is a pure substance which consists of identical atoms or molecules with two or more different types of atomic core bound together.    

 

What are Elements ?  

 

In chemistry, an element is a pure substance that further cannot be broken down into a simpler form. Elements are the building blocks of all matter. They are identified by a distinct atomic number. The periodic chart organizes the elements by atomic number, highlighting elements with comparable properties. To date, 118 elements have been found, with many more in the process of discovery.

 

Classification of Elements 

 

The elements are classified and grouped in the periodic table as metals, nonmetals, and metalloids based on their properties. 

•        Metals:- are elements that have a tendency to lose electrons in order to achieve stability, exhibiting electro positivity. Metals are further divided into three groups: Main Group Metals, Transition Metals, and f- block metals.

•        Non-metals :- Non-metals are elements that have a tendency to gain electrons in order to achieve stability, i.e. they have electronegativity. 

•        Metalloids :- Metalloids are elements with characteristics that fall between metals and nonmetals. 

 

Few Examples of Elements  

 

Metals – Iron, Copper, Sodium, Aluminium, Lead 

 

Non-Metals – Oxygen, Sulphur, Hydrogen, Argon, Chlorine 

 

Metalloids – Silicon, Germanium, Boron, Arsenic 

 

What are Compounds ?

 

Compounds are chemical substances composed of two or more elements chemically bonded together in a certain ratio. Chemically, compounds can be broken down into simpler types of matter (elements). When the elements join, some of their unique properties are lost, and the newly created compound has new properties. 

 

Classification of Compounds  

 

Compounds are classified as ionic compounds or covalent compounds based on their formation. 

•        Ionic compounds :- They are generated when a metal and a nonmetal combine. Because they include ions, they are also known as electrovalent compounds. 

 

•        Covalent compounds :- They are created when two non-metals interact. They are also referred to as molecular compounds. 

 

 

 

 

 

Few Examples of Compounds  

 

Water (H₂O), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), sodium chloride (NaCl), carbon dioxide (CO₂), calcium oxide (CaO), ammonia (NH₃), methane (CH₄), etc. 

 

 

Parameters	Elements	Compounds
Definition	Elements are pure substances made up of only one type of atoms.	Compounds are pure substances made up of two or more different types of elements.
Composition	Elements only have one type of atoms. The atomic number of each atoms is the same.	Compounds are made up of different elements arranged in a certain order via chemical bonds. They only have one sort of molecules.
Total Numbers	There are a total of 118 elements.	There          are            endless compounds.
Classification	Elements are classified as metals,	Compounds are  classified based on their bonds i.e. iconic

 

 

  

	non-metals         and metalloids.	compounds or covalent compounds.
Representation	Elements are   represented by  symbols and numbers. e.g. : Na, Cu, Fe,   H, O	Compounds are represented by chemical formulas.
Ability to disassemble	Chemical reactions cannot break down elements into simple ones.	Chemical methods/reactions can spilt a compound into  simpler components.
Distinguished by	Elements are identified by their atomic number.	They           are characterized  by          a constant  ratio           of different.

 

What are Mixtures?  

 

A mixture is an impure material composed of two or more separate chemical components that are not chemically bonded. A mixture’s constituents can be added in varying quantities. A mixture lacks a set chemical formula. It also lacks a definite melting and boiling point. It will exhibit the qualities of its constituents and can be deconstructed into them using simple methods. 

Examples of mixtures are salt and water, sugar and salt, air, ethanol in water, etc. 

 

 

Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Definition : 

 

What is a Homogeneous Mixture?

 

These are the types of mixtures in which the components mixed are uniformly distributed throughout the mixture. In other words, “they are uniform throughout“. We can observe only one phase of matter in a homogeneous mixture. Key points regarding such mixtures are: 

•        Particles are distributed uniformly 

•        We can’t judge a homogeneous mixture by just seeing it 

•        Homogeneous mixtures are also called solutions 

•        Uniform composition 

•        Example: rainwater, vinegar, etc. 

 

 

 

What is a Heterogeneous Mixture?  

 

This is a type of mixture in which all the components are completely mixed and all the particles can be seen under a microscope. We can easily identify the components and more than one phase can be seen by naked eyes. 

 

Key points regarding this type of mixtures :  

 

•        Particles are distributed non-uniformly 

•        We can judge a heterogeneous mixture by just seeing it’s nonuniform composition  

      Example : Seawater, pizza, etc.  

  

Difference between Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Mixture  

  

Homogeneous	Heterogeneous
It has a uniform composition.	It has a non – uniform composition.
It has only one phase	There are two or more phases
It can’t be separated out  physically	It can be separated out  physically
‘homo’ means the same	‘hetero’ means different
Example : a mixture of  alcohol and water	Example : a mixture of  sodium chloride and sand

  

Example :

  

Soft Drinks : Homogeneous or Heterogeneous mixture ?  

 

In a homogenous mixture, all the components are uniformly distributed and in the soft drink, we find components are uniformly distributed and in the soft drink, we find components likes sweetener, carbon dioxide and water forming a single phase. Therefore, a soft drink is homogeneous mixture.