Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space.
It is broadly classified into Pure Substances and Mixtures.
Pure Substances include Elements and Compounds.
Mixtures are of two types:
Homogeneous Mixture
Heterogeneous Mixture
Exam Tip
Students should be able to draw this diagram neatly in less than one minute and explain each branch with one suitable example.
Diagram 2 – Types of Mixtures
MIXTURES
│
┌──────────────┴──────────────┐
│ │
Homogeneous Mixture Heterogeneous Mixture
│ │
Uniform composition Non-uniform composition
throughout the mixture throughout the mixture
│ │
Particles not visible Different parts visible
│ │
Example: Salt Solution Example: Sand + Water
Explanation
Mixtures are formed when two or more substances are combined physically without any chemical reaction.
Homogeneous Mixtures have the same composition throughout the mixture. The components cannot be distinguished by the naked eye.
Heterogeneous Mixtures have a non-uniform composition. Different components can usually be seen separately.
Examples
Homogeneous Mixture
Heterogeneous Mixture
Salt + Water
Sand + Water
Sugar Solution
Oil + Water
Air
Soil
Important Differences
Homogeneous mixtures have a uniform composition, whereas heterogeneous mixtures have a non-uniform composition.
The components of a homogeneous mixture are not visible, while those of a heterogeneous mixture are usually visible.
Homogeneous mixtures consist of a single phase, whereas heterogeneous mixtures have two or more phases.
Exam Tip
Remember this simple trick:Homo = Same → Uniform compositionHetero = Different → Non-uniform composition
Diagram 3 – Solution (Solute + Solvent)
SOLUTION
│
┌────────────┴────────────┐
│ │
SOLUTE SOLVENT
(Substance Dissolved) (Substance that Dissolves)
│ │
Salt / Sugar Water
│ │
└────────────┬────────────┘
│
Salt + Water
│
▼
SALT SOLUTION
Explanation
A solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances.
The solute is the substance that gets dissolved.
The solvent is the substance that dissolves the solute.
After mixing, a clear and uniform solution is formed.
Examples of Solutions
Solute
Solvent
Solution Formed
Salt
Water
Salt Solution
Sugar
Water
Sugar Solution
Carbon Dioxide
Water
Soft Drink
Characteristics of a Solution
Homogeneous in nature.
Particles are extremely small and cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Particles do not settle down on standing.
Cannot be separated by ordinary filtration.
Does not scatter a beam of light.
Exam Tip
Remember:Solute + Solvent = SolutionExample:
Salt + Water = Salt Solution
Diagram 4 – Suspension
SUSPENSIONSand + Water Mixture┌──────────────────────┐
│ ○ ○ ○ ○ │
│ ○ ○ │
│ ○ ○ │
│ │
│———————-│
│ ████████████████████ │
│ Settled Sand │
└──────────────────────┘↑ Water
↓ Heavy particles settle
at the bottom
Explanation
A suspension is a heterogeneous mixture in which insoluble solid particles are dispersed in a liquid.
The suspended particles are large enough to be seen with the naked eye.
These particles settle down at the bottom when the mixture is left undisturbed.
A suspension can be separated easily by filtration.
Examples of Suspension
Mixture
Type
Sand + Water
Suspension
Chalk Powder + Water
Suspension
Mud + Water
Suspension
Characteristics of Suspension
Heterogeneous mixture.
Particles are visible to the naked eye.
Particles settle down on standing.
Can be separated by filtration.
Scatters a beam of light (shows the Tyndall effect).
Quick Comparison
Property
Suspension
Nature
Heterogeneous
Particle Size
Large
Visibility
Visible
Settling
Yes
Filtration
Possible
Exam Tip
Remember:✔ Suspension = Large particles✔ Particles settle down✔ Can be filtered easily
Diagram 5 – Colloid
COLLOIDExample: Milk┌─────────────────────────┐
│ • • • • • • • • • • • │
│ • • • • • • • • • • • │
│ • • • • • • • • • • • │
│ • • • • • • • • • • • │
└─────────────────────────┘Tiny particles remain
uniformly distributed in the liquid.✔ Do NOT settle down
✔ Cannot be seen by naked eyes
Explanation
A colloid is a heterogeneous mixture in which very small particles are uniformly dispersed in another substance.
The particles are larger than those in a true solution but smaller than those in a suspension.
Colloidal particles remain suspended and do not settle down even after standing for a long time.
Different mixtures require different methods of separation depending on the
size of particles, solubility, boiling point and physical properties of the
components.
Common Separation Methods
Method
Used For
Example
Filtration
Insoluble solid + Liquid
Sand + Water
Decantation
Settled solid + Liquid
Mud + Water
Evaporation
Dissolved solid from solution
Salt from Sea Water
Crystallisation
Pure crystals from solution
Copper Sulphate Crystals
Distillation
Liquid from solution
Pure Water
Fractional Distillation
Two miscible liquids
Petroleum Fractions
Chromatography
Coloured substances
Separating Ink Colours
Memory Tip
Solid + Liquid (Insoluble) → Filtration
Solid Dissolved in Liquid → Evaporation / Crystallisation
Two Liquids → Distillation / Fractional Distillation
Filtration is a method used to separate an insoluble solid from a liquid using a filter medium such as filter paper. The liquid passes through the filter paper, while the insoluble solid remains behind.
Key Terms
Term
Meaning
Residue
The insoluble solid left on the filter paper.
Filtrate
The clear liquid collected after passing through the filter paper.
Examples of Filtration
Separating sand from water.
Filtering tea leaves from tea using a tea strainer.
Water purification in filtration plants.
Air filters used in vehicles and air purifiers.
Advantages
Simple and inexpensive method.
Quick separation of insoluble solids.
Widely used in laboratories and industries.
Limitations
Cannot separate dissolved substances such as salt or sugar from water.
Not suitable for separating very fine colloidal particles.
Exam Tip
Remember:
Residue → Remains on the filter paper.
Filtrate → Passes through the filter paper.
Filtration works only for insoluble solids.
Diagram 8 – Evaporation
EVAPORATION☀ Heat
↑↑↑
Water Vapour Escapes┌─────────────────┐
│ Salt Solution │
│~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~│
└─────────────────┘
│
▼Salt Left Behind
Principle of Evaporation
Evaporation is the process of converting a liquid into vapour by heating.
It is used to separate a soluble solid from its solution. During evaporation,
the liquid changes into vapour while the dissolved solid remains behind.
Working of Evaporation
Take a solution containing a dissolved solid (e.g., salt solution).
Heat the solution in an evaporating dish.
The liquid (water) gradually evaporates.
The dissolved solid remains as a residue.
Examples
Mixture
Product Obtained
Salt Solution
Salt
Sea Water
Common Salt
Sugar Solution
Sugar
Advantages
Simple and economical method.
Useful for obtaining dissolved solids.
Commonly used in salt production from sea water.
Limitations
The liquid cannot be recovered after evaporation.
Not suitable if both the solid and liquid are required.
Crystallisation is a method used to obtain a pure solid in the form of crystals
from its solution. When a hot saturated solution is cooled slowly, pure crystals
separate out from the solution.
Steps of Crystallisation
Prepare a hot saturated solution of the substance.
Filter the solution to remove impurities.
Allow the solution to cool slowly.
Pure crystals begin to form.
Separate and dry the crystals.
Examples
Solution
Crystals Obtained
Copper Sulphate Solution
Copper Sulphate Crystals
Alum Solution
Alum Crystals
Sugar Solution
Sugar Crystals
Advantages Over Evaporation
Produces pure crystals.
Removes many impurities.
Prevents decomposition of heat-sensitive substances.
Widely used in laboratories and industries.
Difference Between Evaporation and Crystallisation
Evaporation
Crystallisation
May give impure solid.
Gives pure crystals.
Continuous heating required.
Cooling of saturated solution required.
Used mainly for recovery.
Used for purification.
Exam Tip
Remember:
Evaporation → Obtain solid.
Crystallisation → Obtain pure crystals.
Crystallisation is considered a better method than evaporation for purification.