What is a Mixture?

A mixture is a physical mix of substances that can be separated into their original parts.

Types of Mixtures

A heterogeneous mixture is a mixture that you can see and distinguish the different parts clearly. An example of a heterogeneous mixture is trail mix. The different parts can easily be distinguished.

What is a Suspension?

A suspension is a type of smooth heterogeneous mixture where the parts tend to settle. Dirty water can be an example of a suspension.

What is a Colloid?

A colloid is similar to a suspension, only the parts do not settle. Smog is a good example of a colloid.

 

What is a Solution?

A solution is a type of homogeneous mixture. In a solution, a solvent  and a solute are getting mixed. A solute is the smaller part of the solution. The solvent is the larger part that the solute gets mixed into.

In a solution, the solute is mixed into the solvent so well that it dissolves in the solvent. An example of this could be sugar and water. Sugar, being the solute, will dissolve into the water, which is a solvent.

The solubility of a solution is the amount of solute you can put into the solvent before it stops dissolving.

 

What is distillation?

There are many ways to separate mixtures. One way is distillation.

Distillation is separating liquids by evaporating or condensing them. Liquids with higher boiling points will evaporate first so that the two liquids are separated.

 

How are mixtures used?

Mixtures can be used as foods and tools. An alloy is a type of solution. Stainless steel is an alloy that is used for many purposes.