Science Mixtures and Changes of State

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering mixtures, separation techniques, solutions, colloids, and physical changes of state as discussed in the lecture notes.

Mixture

A material formed by the physical combining of two or more different substances where each component retains its characteristic properties.

Homogeneous mixture

A mixture where you cannot see the individual components because they are evenly distributed.

Heterogeneous mixture

A mixture where you can distinguish the different components.

Filtration

The process of separating a mixture using a porous material.

Evaporation

The process of heating a homogeneous liquid mixture to let the water escape into the atmosphere as vapor.

Decantation

Allowing solid particles to settle before transferring the liquid into another container.

Supernatant

The liquid portion resulting from the process of decantation.

Precipitate

The solid particles that settle at the bottom during the process of settling or decantation.

Distillation

The process of separating a liquid into its individual component parts.

Solution

A uniform mixture where one or more substances dissolve in a liquid.

Solute

The substance that is being dissolved in a solution.

Solvent

The liquid substance that dissolves the other substance in a solution.

Concentration

The amount of solute present in a given amount of solvent.

Miscibility

The property of two substances to mix in all proportions.

Miscible solution

A solution formed when two soluble liquids dissolve into each other.

Immiscible Solution

A solution formed when two liquids are insoluble to each other.

Dilute solution

A solution containing a small amount of solute and a larger amount of solvent.

Concentrated solution

A solution containing a large amount of solute.

Saturated solution

A solution where added amounts of solute can no longer dissolve in a given amount of solvent.

Solubility

The ability of a solute to dissolve in a given amount of solvent.

Suspension

A heterogeneous mixture in which particles of one substance do not dissolve in another substance and may visibly settle.

Tyndall effect

The scattering and reflecting of light caused by colloid particles, which is a special characteristic of suspensions and colloids.

Colloid

A suspension of extremely small particles that remain mixed in a gas, liquid, or solid.

Brownian motion

The rapid, random motion of particles suspended in a medium.

Sol or Hydrosol

A colloid made up of solid or liquid particles dispersed in water.

Aerosol

A colloid consisting of solid or liquid particles scattered in a gas.

Emulsion

A colloidal mixture of one liquid dispersed in another liquid.

Peptization

The spontaneous dispersion of substances, such as gelatin or glue, into a proper solvent to form a colloid.

Colloid mill

A mechanical device that uses shearing force to break apart larger particles into colloidal size.

Homogenization

The process of using an emulsifying agent to reduce particle size and create a stable emulsion.

Gel

A colloidal system where a liquid is dispersed in a solid.

Solid foam

A colloidal system where a gas is dispersed in a solid.

Hydrocolloid

A colloidal system in which the colloid particles are dispersed in water.

Latex

A colloidal solution consisting of charged rubber particles.

Melting

A physical process where heat energy causes solid particles to vibrate faster and weaken their bonds, turning the solid into a liquid.

Freezing

The reversible physical process of a liquid transitioning into a solid state as it loses thermal energy.

Condensation

The process where gas particles lose energy, slow down, and come closer together to form liquid droplets.

Thermal energy

Heat energy that changes the energy levels and arrangement of particles, allowing for transitions between states of matter.