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Compounds and Mixtures are important elemental combinations in Chemistry and certainly differ from one another. Compounds are substances that are formed through the chemical combination of two or more elements in definite proportion while a mixture is the combination of two or more components in indefinite proportion and the elements are not chemically linked.
A notable difference between the compound and mixture is the fact that compounds are generally homogeneous in nature whereas mixtures are both heterogeneous and homogeneous in nature. Compounds also have specific chemical and physical properties whereas mixtures do not have specific chemical and physical properties of their own.
Key Terms: Compound, Mixture, Elements, Homogeneous Mixtures, Heterogeneous Mixtures, Atoms, Metals
What is a Compound?
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A compound is defined as a substance consisting of two or more different types of elements in a fixed ratio of their atoms. When these elements combine their individual property is lost and a new compound is formed with its new property.
Example: Water (H2O) is a compound.
The chemical formula of water is H2O, which denotes two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen combined to form one molecule of H2O.
Types of Compound
A compound can be classified into two types:
- Molecular Compounds: In molecular compounds, the atom binds together through covalent bonds and is formed when atoms are joined together by sharing of electrons. Molecular compounds are formed between two non-metals and are poor conductors of electricity.
- Ionic Compounds: In ionic compounds, the atoms are held together through ionic bonds and are formed due to the transfer of electrons. Ionic compounds are formed between metals and non-metals and are good conductors of electricity.
What is a Mixture?
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A mixture is defined as the combination of two or more substances that are not chemically linked. Unlike compounds, the elements involved in the process, do not lose their individual property in combination.
Example: Following are the examples of mixtures:
- Air (A mixture of various gases present in the environment)
- Seawater (A mixture of salt and water)
- Gunpowder (A mixture of sulfur, nitrate, potassium, and carbon.)
Mixture
Types of Mixture
A mixture can be classified into two types:
- Homogeneous Mixture
- A mixture that possesses the same properties and combination throughout its mass is known as a homogenous mixture.
- Examples: Air, Rainwater, Detergent, etc.
- Components of a homogeneous mixture cannot be seen through the naked eye and cannot be separated easily.
- Heterogeneous Mixture
- A mixture that possesses different properties and compositions is known as a heterogeneous mixture.
- Components of a heterogeneous mixture can be seen through the naked eye and can be separated easily.
- Examples: A mixture of salt and sugar, Grains and pulses along with some dirt particles, etc.
Difference Between Compound and Mixture
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The major differences between a compound and a mixture are tabulated below:
| Parameter | Compound | Mixture |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A compound is the mixture of two or more elements in a definite proportion. | A mixture is the combination of two or more chemical elements which are not chemically linked. |
| Nature | Compounds are always homogeneous in nature. | The mixture can be homogeneous or heterogeneous |
| Classification | Compounds are classified into two types- molecular compounds and ionic compounds. | The mixture is classified into two types- homogeneous mixture and heterogeneous mixture. |
| Substance Category | Compounds are considered pure substances. | Mixtures are considered impure substances. |
| Composition | The elements in the compound are of definite proportion. | The elements in the mixture are of indefinite proportion. |
| Formula | The compound consists of chemical formula. | A mixture does not have any specific chemical formula. |
| Separation | Elements of a compound are not easy to separate through physical methods. | Elements of a mixture are easy to separate through physical methods such as filtration, evaporation, etc. |
| Change of Heat | There is a change of heat during the formation of a compound. | There is no change of heat during the formation of a mixture |
| Melting or Boiling Point | Compounds have a definite melting or boiling point. It is unchangeable. | Mixtures do not have a definite melting or boiling point. |
| Examples | Water (H2O), Salt (NaCl), Methane, Baking Powder, etc. | Air, Gunpowder, etc. |
Things to Remember
- Compounds are substances that are formed by combining two or more elements chemically in a fixed proportion.
- Mixtures are substances formed by mixing two or more substances physically with no fixed proportion.
- Elements of the mixture can be easily separated through various physical methods such as evaporation, filtration, etc. whereas elements of the compound cannot be separated via physical methods of separation.
- Elements of a compound lose their individual properties whereas elements of a mixture retain their individual property and do not change.
- Compounds are homogeneous in nature and have definite melting and boiling point whereas mixture is both homogeneous and heterogeneous in nature and do not have definite melting and boiling point.
- Compounds are regarded as pure substances whereas mixture is regarded as an impure substance.
Sample Questions
Ques. What is the major difference between a compound and a mixture? [3 Marks]
Ans. Three major differences between a compound and a mixture:
- Definition: Compound is formed on a combination of two or more elements in definite proportion whereas a mixture is formed on a combination of two or more elements in indefinite proportion.
- Change in Energy: Change of energy takes place during compound formation whereas during mixture formation no change of energy takes place.
- Nature: Compounds are homogeneous in nature and a mixture can be both homogeneous and heterogeneous in nature.
Ques. Write down any five properties of the compound. [5 Marks]
Ans. The properties of a compound are as follows:
- Elements involved to form compounds have a definite composition. The elements involved are in definite proportion.
- Elements that combine to form a compound lose their individual property during the process and result in the formation of the new property.
- Compounds have definite melting and boiling point.
- Compounds are considered pure substances
- Compounds are always homogeneous in nature.
Ques. Explain in the brief mixture and its types. [5 Marks]
Ans. A mixture is defined as an impure substance that is formed on a combination of two or more elements in indefinite proportion. The elements involved in the process are not chemically bonded and do not lose their individual property when mixed.
The mixture is classified into two types:
- Homogeneous Mixture
- Heterogeneous Mixture
A homogeneous mixture is defined as the mixtures that retain the same properties and combination throughout their mass whereas a heterogeneous mixture constitutes different properties and compositions.
For example, sugar mixed with water is an example of a homogeneous mixture, and sand mixed with salt is an example of a heterogeneous mixture.
Ques. Write any three properties of the mixture. [3 Marks]
Ans. The properties of a mixture are as follows:
- Nature: Mixture is both homogeneous and heterogeneous in nature.
- Separation: A mixture can be separated by various physical methods like filtration, evaporation, etc.
- Melting or Boiling Point: The mixture does not possess definite melting or boiling point.
Ques. Give an example for the following: (A) A solid-liquid homogeneous mixture (B) Gas- gas homogeneous mixture (C) Liquid-liquid homogeneous mixture. [3 Marks]
Ans. (a) Salt (a solid) in water (a liquid) is an example of a solid-liquid homogeneous mixture
(b) Air is an example of a homogeneous mixture. Air is the combination of various gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide.
(c) Water (a liquid) and oil (a liquid) is an example of homogeneous mixture.
Ques. Answer the following in one sentence: (A) Why is saltwater considered a mixture? (B) Oxygen and iron combine chemically to form rust. Rust is classified as what? (C) In what sort or kind of mixture are the substances evenly distributed throughout the mixture? [3 Marks]
Ans. (A) It is composed of two or more substances and has new chemical properties
(B) Rust is classified as a compound.
(C) In a homogeneous mixture, substances are distributed evenly throughout the mixture.
Ques. Do the properties of individual elements in compounds and mixtures change? [3 Marks]
Ans. Compounds have specific chemical and physical properties whereas mixtures do not have specific chemical and physical properties of their own. As a result of which elements lose their individual property when they combine to form a compound whereas elements retain their individual property and do not change when combining to form a mixture.
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