Classification of Matter

Classification of Matter

• Matter: Anything that has mass and occupies space.

Pure Substances

• Definition: Contain only one type of matter.
• Separation: Can be separated into elements and compounds.

Elements

• Definition: Pure substances made of only one type of atom.
• Characteristics:
  • Cannot be broken down into simpler substances under normal laboratory conditions.
  • Represented by chemical symbols (e.g., N for Nitrogen, Hg for Mercury).
• Examples:
  • Oxygen (O)
  • Gold (Au)

Compounds

• Definition: Pure substances made of atoms of two or more elements that are chemically combined.
• Characteristics:
  • Have different properties from the elements they contain.
  • Represented by chemical formulas (e.g., H_2O for water, NaCl for sodium chloride).
• Examples:
  • Carbon Dioxide (CO_2)
  • Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO_3)

Mixtures

• Definition: Combinations of two or more substances that are not chemically combined.
• Types of Mixtures:
  • Mechanical Mixtures: Components are not evenly mixed.
  • Examples: Salad, pizza (where individual ingredients can be identified).
  • Solutions: Components are evenly mixed and uniform throughout.
  • Examples: Saltwater (where salt is dissolved in water).