The Classification of Matter
Mr. Matthew Totaro
Legacy High School
Honors Chemistry
1
In Your Room
• Everything you can see,
touch, smell or taste in
your room is made of
matter.
• Chemists study the
differences in matter and
how that relates to the
structure of matter.
2
What Is Matter?
• Matter is defined as
anything that has mass and
occupies space.
• Even though it appears to
be smooth and continuous,
matter is actually composed
of a lot of tiny little pieces
we call atoms and molecules.
3
Atoms and Molecules
• Atoms are the tiny
particles that make up all
matter.
• In most substances, the
atoms are joined together
in units called molecules.
The atoms are joined in
specific geometric
arrangements.
4
The Classification of Matter
5
Classifying Matter
by Composition
• Matter that is composed
of only one kind of
substance is called a pure
substance.
• Matter that is composed
of different kinds of
substances is called a
mixture.
Pure Sugar
Cubes
6
Copper — a Pure Substance
7
Brass — an example of a Mixture
Brass is a mixture of Copper and Zinc
8
Practice—Classify the Following
as Pure Substances or Mixtures
• 24 carat Gold
• Granite—a rock with several visible minerals in it.
• Water
• Iron
9
Practice—Classify the Following as
Pure Substances or Mixtures,
Continued
• 24 Carat Gold necklace = pure substance.
• Granite—a rock with several visible minerals in it
= mixture.
• Water = pure substance.
• Iron nail = pure substance.
10
Classification of Pure Substances
• Substances composed of a single type of atom are
called elements.
 Basic building blocks of matter.
 Composed of single type of atom.
 This type of pure substance is found on the periodic table.
 Ex: Copper – found on the periodic table with single atoms.
• Substances that are made of more than one type of
atom are called compounds.
 Chemical combinations of elements.
Compounds = two or more different kinds of
atoms.
Ex: Table Salt = NaCl, Sodium atoms combined with
Chlorine atoms
11
Copper – an example of an Element
12
Table Salt (NaCl) – an example of a compound
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Classification of Pure Substances
Elements
1. Made of one
type of atom.
(Some
elements are
found as multiatom molecules
in nature.)
2. Combine
together to
make
compounds.
Compounds
1. Made of one
type of
molecule, or
array of ions.
2. Molecules
contain 2 or
more different
kinds of
atoms.
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Practice—Classify the Following as
Elements or Compounds
• Chlorine, Cl2
• Table sugar, C12H22O12
• Oxygen, O2
• Water, H2O
15
Practice—Classify the
Following as Elements or
Compounds, Continued
• Chlorine, Cl2 = element.
• Table sugar, C12H22O12 = compound.
• Oxygen, O2 = element.
• Water, H2O = compound.
16
Classification of Mixtures
• Mixtures are generally classified based on
their uniformity.
• Mixtures that are uniform throughout are
called homogeneous.
Also known as solutions.
Mixing is on the molecular level.
• Mixtures that have regions with different
characteristics are called heterogeneous.
17
Kool-Aid in Water – a
Homogeneous Mixture
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Chocolate Chip Cookie– a
Heterogeneous Mixture
19
Classification of Mixtures, Continued
Heterogeneous
1. Made of
multiple
substances,
whose
presence can
be seen.
2. Portions of a
sample have
different
composition
and
properties.
Homogeneous
1. Made of
multiple
substances,
but appears to
be one
substance.
2. All portions
of a sample
have the same
composition
and
properties.
20
Practice—Classify the Following as
Homogeneous or Heterogeneous
• A mixture of Kool-Aid and water.
• A mixture of table sugar and black pepper.
• A mixture of sugar dissolved in water.
• Oil and vinegar salad dressing.
21
Practice—Classify the Following as
Homogeneous or Heterogeneous,
Continued
• A mixture of Kool-Aid and water = homogeneous
• A mixture of table sugar and black pepper =
heterogeneous
• A mixture of sugar dissolved in water =
homogeneous
• Oil and vinegar salad dressing = heterogeneous
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Classifying Matter
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