Module 1 WELCOME ON BOARD • Unit 2 PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS

PURE SUBSTANCES
AND IMPURE MATERIALS
In science, a pure substance contains only one element or compound. Impure
as: since, because
closer: more precise materials may be mixtures of elements, mixtures of compounds, or mixtures of
evenly: uniformly elements and compounds.
glance: look
Elements
ratio: proportion
spread out: distributed – consist of only one type of atom;
to stand (stood-stood): to – can exist as either atoms or molecules;
remain immobile – cannot be broken down into a simpler type of matter by either physical or
thoroughly: completely
chemical means.
Compounds
– consist of atoms of two or more different elements chemically joined
together;
Understanding – always contain the same ratio of their component atoms;
mixtures – have fixed properties that are different from their component elements as a
The key to understanding
new substance is formed when the constituents are chemically combined;
mixtures is that you can – can only be separated into their elements by chemical means.
separate the substance into Mixtures
other substances physically, – consist of two or more different elements and/or compounds joined together
while you cannot do so physically, not chemically;
with a compound. – have constituents which are present in varying ratios;
– do not have fixed properties;
– form no new substance and each substance in the mixture keeps its own
An example of compound: water properties;
– can be separated into their constituent parts by physical means.
Mixtures are absolutely everywhere. They may be made by dissolution of a
solute in a solvent, or by diffusion, in which particles of different substances
mix together.
There are different types of mixtures.
Homogeneous Mixtures – in which the two or more substances that form the
mixture are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. Solutions are a special
type of homogeneous mixtures in which one substance (the solute) is evenly
spread out and thoroughly mixed in another substance (the solvent). They
are the best mixed of all mixtures. Alloys are usually homogeneous mixtures
Matter in which the main element (or elements) are metal(s). Amalgams are special
Anything that has mass and takes
up space (solid, liquid or gas)
types of alloys that combine mercury and other metals.
Heterogeneous Mixtures – in which the two or more substances
that form the mixture are not evenly distributed throughout the
Mixture Pure Substance mixture. Suspensions are heterogeneous fluid mixtures containing
A system of matter that A substance that cannot solid particles large enough for sedimentation. The solid particles
is made up of 2 or more be physically separated
substances that are not any further into other
may be separated from the liquid by leaving it to stand
chemically combined substances or by filtration. Colloids are heterogeneous mixtures in
which one substance is microscopically dispersed evenly
throughout another substance. Emulsions are special
Element colloids which have a mixture of oils and waters.
Compound
The simplest form of
matter that cannot be
Elements that are Some mixtures that appear homogeneous at first glance
chemically compound in are heterogeneous upon closer inspection. Examples
separated by chemical or
fixed ratios
physical process include blood and sand.

P. Briano - Pure substances and impure materials

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1
1  ased on your experience, can you say which of these are elements,
B
compounds, homogeneous or heterogeneous mixtures, solutions,
suspensions, colloids and alloys? Write them in the correct column,
then compare your choices in groups.

aluminium foil • brass • bronze • cereal and milk • copper wire • dishwashing liquid •
fruit salad • gasoline • gold • ice cubes in a drink • ice tea • mayonnaise • milk •
salad dressing • salt • sand in water • sea water • snow globe • stainless steel • sugar •
vinegar • vodka • water • whip cream

HOMOGENEOUS HETEROGENEOUS
ELEMENT COMPOUND SOLUTION SUSPENSION COLLOID ALLOY
MIXTURE MIXTURE

2  se the prepositions/adverbs in the box to complete the summary

U
of the reading passage.

by • down • from • in • into • of • throughout • up

An element is as a pure substance made (1) ................... (2) ................... one type (3) ...................
atom or molecule. An element cannot be broken (4) ................... (5) ................... simpler

ACTIVITIES
substances or transformed (6) ................... a chemical reaction. A compound is a pure
substance made (7) ................... (8) ................... two or more types (9) ................... elements (atoms)
chemically combined (10) ................... a fixed proportion. It can be further subdivided
(11) ................... simpler substances (12) ................... chemical means only.
A mixture is a combination (13) ................... elements or compounds not chemically joined
together. It can be further subdivided (14) ................... simpler substances (15) ...................
physical means. Each substance keeps its own properties and can be separated
(16) ................... the mixture.
The constituents (17) ................... a homogenous mixture are uniformly mixed (18) ...................
the mixture. The constituents (19) ................... a heterogeneous mixture are not uniformly
mixed (20) ................... the mixture. (21) ................... a solution, the solute is the dissolved
substance; the solvent is the substance doing the dissolving. A suspension is a mixture
(22) ................... liquids with particles
(23) ................... a solid which may not dissolve
(24) ................... the liquid. A colloid is a mixture
(25) ................... which one substance
(26) ................... microscopically dispersed
insoluble particles is suspended (27) ...................
another substance. Basically alloys are a
mixture (28) ................... two or more metals.

P. Briano - Pure substances and impure materials

Copyright © EDISCO Editrice - Vietata la vendita e la diffusione