A mixture is a combination of two or more substances that do not chemically combined and do not exist in fixed proportions to each other. Mixture refers to the physical combination of two or more substances the identities of which are retained. There is no chemical change to the constituents of a mixture but the physical properties a mixture might differ from its constituents.
Mixtures are the form for most things in nature. A mixture can be physically separated into pure compounds or elements. Some mixtures show tyndall effect when it makes a beam of light visible through it.
Mixtures can be either homogeneous or heterogeneous:
A homogeneous mixture has the same uniform composition and appearance throughout. Many homogeneous mixtures are commonly referred to as solutions. Salt and sugar solutions are homogeneous mixtures. Homogeneous substances have one phase. Air is a homogeneous mixture of gases.
A heterogeneous mixture is a type of mixture in which the components can easily be identified. They have more than one phase and a non-uniform composition. One can see more than one color or type of matter in a heterogeneous mixture.
Types of mixtures
Solutions: are made by mixing a solute and a solvent. The solute is the substance that dissolves. The solvent is the substance that does the dissolving. In a salt solution in water, the salt is the solute and the water is the solvent. Solutions are homogeneous and do not show the tyndall effect. Mixture of sugar and salt is an example of solutions
Suspensions: are mixtures of a solid and a liquid in which the solid does not dissolve. Suspensions settle when left standing undisturbed. Suspensions show the tyndall effect. These are heterogeneous mixtures. For example, sand and water mixture.
Emulsions: are heterogeneous mixtures consists of two liquids that do not mix. Emulsions settle into layers when they are left standing undisturbed. Emulsions also show the tyndall effect. Mixture of oil and water makes an emulsion.
Colloids: have characteristics between a solution and a suspension. Colloids are heterogeneous mixtures. Colloids do not settle when left standing undisturbed and show the tyndall effect. Mayonnaise is a type of colloid.
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