Classification+of+Matter

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Matter can be classified in several different ways. The first step to classifying matter is deciding whether or not it is a mixture or a pure substance. A pure substance has distinct properties that do not vary from sample to sample. Examples of pure substances include elements and compounds. In order for a pure substance to be an element it cannot be broken down into smaller substances and in order for it to be a compound it must be composed of two or more elements. In compounds there is a law called the law of constant composition in which it states that the elemental composition of a compound is always the same.

A mixture is a combination of two or more substances and each substance keeps its own chemical identity. The composition of a mixture can vary, where as the composition of a pure substance cannot. A mixture is either heterogeneous or homogeneous; heterogeneous mixtures must not have the same composition, properties, and appearance throughout, while a homogeneous mixtures, also called solutions, must be uniform. So if you can see the different components in a mixture, then it is heterogeneous. If you cannot see the seperate substances, it is homogeneous.

Examples include:

Gold (Element)

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Table Salt (Compound)

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Gatorade (Homogeneous Mixture)   http://www.davidtorno.com/MacTex_Uploads/Gold001.jpg

Granite (Heterogeneous Mixture) http://www.davidtorno.com/MacTex_Uploads/Gold001.jpg