Solutions and Mixtures

suspension

A mixture in which particles can be seen and easily separated by settling or filtration

colloid

A mixture containing small, undissolved particles that do not settle out.

emulsion

A colloid with droplets of one liquid spread evenly through another

solution

A homogeneous mixture in which substances are evenly distributed in another substance.

A mixture in which one substance is dissolved in another

solute

A substance that is dissolved in a solution.

solvent

A liquid substance capable of dissolving other substances

alloy

A mixture of two or more metals

homogeneous mixture

a mixture in which two or more substances are evenly mixed on but not chemically bonded; the composition is uniform throughout

heterogeneous mixture

A mixture in which different materials can be distinguished easily

polar

Molecule with partial charges. Mixes with water.

nonpolar

No partial charges. Do not mix with water.

hydrogen bond

Attraction between a slightly positive hydrogen atom and a slightly negative atom.

solubility

The ability to dissolve in another substance

concentration

A measurement of how much solute exists within a certain volume of solvent

saturated solution

A solution that contains the maximum amount of dissolved solute

unsaturated solution

any solution that can dissolve more solute at a given temperature

supersaturated solution

a solution that holds more dissolved solute than is required to reach equilibrium at a given temperature

miscible

Two liquids that are soluble in each other;able to be mixed

mixture

two or more substances NOT chemically combined

chromatography

A technique that is used to separate the components of a mixture based on the tendency of each component to travel or be drawn across the surface of another material.

distillation

A process that separates the substances in a solution based on their boiling points

evaporation

The change of a substance from a liquid to a gas; a technique used to separate out homogenous mixtures where there is one or more dissolved solid

filtration

A process that separates materials based on the size of their particles.

buffer

weak acid or base that can react with strong acids or bases to help prevent sharp, sudden changes in pH