You most likely run over one or different types of a mixture in your everyday life. The air that you inhale is the commonest form of a mixture. Did you realize that? Today, we will look into the impure substances or mixtures, as they are normally called. 

What is a Mixture?

Mixtures are substances that are made up of two or more different types of substances. Physical means can be used to separate them. A solution of salt and water, a combination of sugar and water, various gases, air, and so on are examples. The different components of any combination do not unite through any chemical changes. As a result, the components retain their distinct characteristics.

Examples of Mixtures

• Crude oil: A mixture of organic compounds (mainly hydrocarbons)

• Seawater: A mixture of various salt and water.

• Air: a mixture of various gases like oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, argon, neon, etc.

• Ink: A mixture of coloured dyes.

• Gunpowder: A mixture of sulfur, potassium nitrate and carbon.

Properties of Mixtures

The constituents of a mixture are not present in a fixed ratio. The various characteristics of mixtures are discussed below.  

• There is no chemical force acting between the two or more substances that are mixed, but they still exist together.

• They can either be heterogeneous or homogeneous in nature.

• The proportions of the substances vary in an indefinite manner.

• The properties of the mixture depending upon the individual components.

• The constituents of the mixture can be separated by physical methods.

• Boiling point and the melting point of the mixture depends upon the characteristic of the constituents.

• During the formation of a mixture, there is no change in energy.

• All the states of matter (solid, liquid, gases) can combine to form mixtures.

Types of Mixtures

There are two main types of mixtures: homogeneous mixtures and heterogeneous mixtures. The types of mixtures are discussed below.

1) Homogeneous mixtures: A mixture which has uniform composition and properties throughout its mass is called a homogeneous mixture. Examples: Sugar solution, salt solution etc.

 Examples of homogeneous mixture are - Alloys, Salt in water.

2) Heterogeneous mixture: A mixture which has different composition and properties in different parts of their mass is called heterogeneous mixture. Examples: Sand mixed with salt, sugar in oil etc.

 Examples of heterogeneous mixture are - Gun powder, Oil in water.

Difference between Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Mixture

1. Homogeneous mixture

• It has a uniform composition

• It has only one phase

• It can’t be separated out physically

• ‘homo’ means the same

• Example: a mixture of alcohol and water

2. Heterogeneous mixture

• It has a non-uniform composition

• There are two or more phases

• It can be separated out physically

• ‘hetero’ means different

• Example: a mixture of sodium chloride and sand