Matter – anything that has
mass, takes up space, and is
made of atoms. Can be solid,
liquid, or gas.
CLASSIFICATION OF
MATTER—because
humans like to put
things into categories!
YES
Mixture: a physical combination
of 2 or more substances. On a
molecular level, an assortment
of different particles.
YES
IS THE COMPOSITION VARIABLE? CAN YOU
SEE CHUNKS OF DIFFERENT THINGS?
NO
Heterogeneous mixture: the
components are unevenly
distributed throughout the
sample and may be visually
distinguished.
Suspension: the components
temporarily mix with
agitation, but settle and
separate.
Ex. Oil and water
CAN IT BE SEPARATED
BY PHYSICAL MEANS?
Homogeneous mixture:
the components are
evenly distributed
throughout the sample.
Solution: the particles of one
substance surround the particles
of another to dissolve it. Most are
aqueous (water-based) and clear.
Ex. Salt water, sodas
NO
YES
Pure Substance: a pure sample
that contains 1 ingredient. On a
molecular level, all particles are
the same.
CAN IT BE SEPARATED BY CHEMICAL MEANS?
DOES IT CONTAIN MORE THAN ONE CHEMICAL
ELEMENT? DOES THE CHEMICAL FORMULA
HAVE MORE THAN ONE CAPITAL LETTER?
Compound: made of
molecules or crystals
that have more than 1
kind of atom; a
chemical combination
of 2 or more elements.
Ex. Water (H2O), Salt
(NaCl)
NO
Element: the basic units of all
matter. Made of 1 type of atom;
can be monatomic or diatomic
Ex. Oxygen (O2), Iron (Fe)
Diatomic Element:
exists in covalently
bonded pairs
(molecules).
Ex. Oxygen (O2),
Hydrogen (H2)
Monatomic Element:
exists as single atoms.
Ex. Neon (Ne), Iron (Fe)