What is a Homogeneous Mixture?
In chemistry, a homogeneous mixture is a type of mixture. Another type of mixture is a heterogeneous mixture. Homogeneous mixtures, like pure substances, have a single phase of matter observed, as opposed to heterogeneous mixtures, which have two or more phases of matter.
Because salt has a distinct composition, it is classified as a substance. Although salt dissolves easily in water, salt water cannot be defined as a substance. A mixture is a physical combination of two or more components, each with its own identity and characteristics. When salt is dissolved in water, just the shape of the salt changes, not its chemical composition or chemical bonding.
Definition
The word “homo” means the same, a mixture is said to be homogeneous if the different constituents or substances present in it are uniformly mixed without any clear boundary of separation. The centrifugal force cannot be used to separate the components.
Homogeneous mixtures do not exhibit the Tyndall effect. A homogeneous mixture that has a uniform composition throughout is also known as a solution. A chemical solution contains very small particle sizes (less than 1 nanometer in diameter).
Learn about mixtures in chemistry
Solid Homogeneous Mixture Examples:
- Bronze
- Steel
- Cement
- Brass
- Bitumen
Liquid Homogenous Mixture Examples
- Blood
- Water
- Orange juice
- Coffee
- Wine
The fundamental difference between the two types of mixture is one of a matter of scale. If the sample size is small enough, even a homogenous mixture can become heterogeneous. Blood, for example, is a homogenous mixture that appears heterogeneous when magnified.
Types of Homogeneous Mixture
Solution
A solution is a homogenous mixture of two or more substances. The component of a mixture that determines the state of matter of the solution is called the solvent, and the other component is called the solute. In a solution, there is homogeneity at the particle level.
If we take the example of lemonade, it tastes the same, which shows that particles of sugar or salt are evenly distributed in the solution. A solution is composed of one phase (e.g., solid, liquid, gas). Components of a solution cannot be separated by filtration.
In solution, the particles are too tiny and hence are not visible to naked eyes, and it also doesn’t scatter a beam of light passing through it. The amount of solute in a given solution is called the concentration of a solution. It can be calculated as,
The concentration of solution = amount of solute/ amount of solution
Examples of solutions are:
- Sugar in water
- Air
- Gasoline
- Tincture of iodine
- Aerated drinks
Properties
- Uniform distribution of particles.
- There is no boundary of separation
- Only one phase is present.
- All solutions would be considered homogenous.
- Homogenous mixtures cannot be expressed as chemical formulas.
- The properties of the mixture are the same in all compositions.
- In a homogenous mixture, the constituent particles cannot be seen without the help of a powerful microscope.
- In a homogenous mixture, the components may be present in any proportion.
Homogenous mixture vs pure substance:
| Homogenous mixture | Pure substance |
| The word “homo” means the same, a mixture is said to be homogenous if the different constituents or substances present in it are uniformly mixed without any clear boundary of separation. | A pure substance is a form of matter that has a fixed chemical composition and a distinct characteristic. |
| The homogenous mixture can be separated into two or more substances through physical or mechanical processes such as distillation, and filtration. | A pure substance cannot be separated by any means |
| The physical and chemical properties of pure substances are not constant. | The physical and chemical properties of pure substances are constant. |
| The components of a homogeneous mixture melt or boil at different temperatures. | The temperature when boiling or melting a pure substance does not change. |
Homogenization:
It is a physical or chemical treatment by which components of a substance like solid, liquid, and gas or a mixture of a substance is made uniform.
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