Lesson 1.

3
Pure Substances and Mixtures
Contents

Introduction 1 Learning Objectives 2 Warm Up 2

Learn about It! 4 Classification of Matter 4 Pure Substances 6

Elements 7 Compounds 13 Mixtures 16 Homogeneous Mixtures 17 Heterogeneous
Mixtures 19

Key Points 20 Check Your Understanding 21 Challenge Yourself 24 Photo Credits 24

Bibliography 25

Unit 1: Matter

Lesson 1.3

Pure Substances and Mixtures

 Introduction
Have you been to a buffet? It is a system of serving meals in the restaurant wherein
different viands are placed on the table, and diners serve themselves. Like a buffet, the
world offers variety in terms of materials that can be encountered. Some materials like
rocks, wood, and water are visible while air is not. Some materials are pure in terms of their
composition, while other materials are combinations of two or more substances. There is so
much diversity of materials in the environment, forcing scientists to classify matter into
different groups.

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Unit 1: Matter

In this lesson, you will learn the different classification of matter. Matter may be classified
according to its composition. Materials with a fixed composition are known as pure
substances, while those with varying compositions are known as mixtures. Pure
 substances may be further classified as elements and compounds, while mixtures may be
grouped as homogeneous or heterogeneous. Each group of matter has its unique
properties that allow them to be distinguishable from other kinds of material.

DepEd Competency
Learning Objectives This serves as a prerequisite or
enrichment for the given competency:
In this lesson, you should be able to do ● Differentiate between pure
the following: substances and mixtures
(STEM_GC11MP-Ia-b-6).
● Differentiate pure substances
from mixtures.

● Categorize pure substances as

elements and compounds.

● Enumerate the classifications of

mixtures.

Warm Up

Classifying Matter 30 minutes Matter may be classified as solids,

liquids, or gases. Matter may also be grouped according to the properties they possess.
Another way to classify matter is by investigating its composition.

Materials
● baking soda
● table salt
● fine sand

1.3 Pure Substances and Mixtures 2

Unit 1: Matter
 ● iron filings
● sulfur powder
● 6 watch glasses
● nuts
● bolts
● bar magnet
● magnifying glass
● metal strainer

Procedure
1. Place a teaspoon of each sample on a watch glass. Label each sample accordingly.
a. Sample 1 - iron filings
b. Sample 2 - sulfur
c. Sample 3 - baking soda
d. Sample 4 - table salt
e. Sample 5 - fine sand and baking soda
f. Sample 6 - iron filings and table salt
2. Examine each sample. Use a magnifying glass to describe its appearance.
3. Place a magnet near each sample and observe if the magnet can separate its
components.
4. Let each sample pass through the strainer and see if its components can be separated
or not.
5. Record all your observations in the table below.

Guide Questions
1. How will you describe the appearance of each sample?
2. How will you describe the composition of each sample?
3. Why do you think the components of Samples 5 and 6 can be separated by physical
means?
4. Based on the activity, how will you differentiate pure substances from mixtures?

1.3 Pure Substances and Mixtures 3

Unit 1: Matter

Data Table
Table 1.3.1. Summary of observable characteristics of different samples of matter.
Sample Does it have Does it Can its Is it a Is it a
a uniform have a componen pure mixture?
appearance? fixed ts be substanc
composition? separated e?
by
physical
means?

Learn about It!

Classification of Matter
There is diversity in the materials that are present in the environment. These materials vary
in characteristics as well as in the purpose they serve. Thus, it is important to classify these
materials to recognize them and determine their uses easily.

How can matter be classified?

Matter may be classified according to their state or phase. The three states of matter
are solid, liquid, and gas. Solid materials are rigid and have a definite shape. Liquids, on the
other hand, have a definite volume but no definite shape. Unlike solids, liquids tend to

1.3 Pure Substances and Mixtures 4

Unit 1: Matter

follow the shape of its container and are able to flow with ease. Lastly, gases have no
definite shape and volume. Gases are often invisible but are highly compressible compared
to solids and liquids.

coins liquids in flasks gas emitted in factories

Fig. 1.3.1. Matter can be grouped into solids, liquids, or gases.

Matter may be classified according to their properties. Properties are characteristics that
a certain material possesses which makes it unique. Materials may possess physical
properties or characteristics that are observable even without changing the composition of
matter. Thus, matter may be classified according to their color, mass, volume, density, and
other physical characteristics. On the other hand, matter also possesses characteristics that
can only be observed once a material undergoes a chemical reaction. These properties are
known as chemical properties. Materials around may be grouped according to their
flammability, reactivity, and biodegradability.

flowers grouped dolls arranged by size blocks of wood of

according to color different shapes

Fig. 1.3.2. Materials may be classified according to color, size, and shape which are known
as physical properties.
 1.3 Pure Substances and Mixtures 5

Unit 1: Matter

fruit peelings as biodegradable plastics as nonbiodegradables

Fig. 1.3.3. Materials may be classified according to their biodegradability which is a chemical
property.

Matter may be classified according to their composition. All matter is composed of tiny
particles called atoms. However, the composition of atoms in a matter varies. Substances
have a fixed or definite composition. This kind of matter is made up of a specific number of
atoms or groups of atoms that are combined through a chemical reaction. Mixtures, on the
other hand, are combinations of two or more substances.

What are pure substances and mixtures?

Pure Substances
A pure substance is a kind of matter with a definite or fixed composition. Note that all
materials are composed of atoms. Thus, pure substances are made up of atoms, too.
However, they can be composed of a specific type of atom or combination of atoms. This
composition is fixed for this kind of matter. A pure substance also has definite physical and
chemical properties such as appearance, melting point, and reactivity. Regardless of the
amount of pure substance, it will always have the same properties because it is made up of
one type of particle.
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Unit 1: Matter

Pure substances are classified into elements and compounds. An element is made up of
one kind of atom, or two or more of the same kind of atoms that are chemically combined.
On the other hand, a compound is made up of different kinds of atoms that are combined
through a chemical reaction. Compounds have different properties from the elements that
make them up.

(a) atoms of an element (b) molecules of an element (c) molecules of a

compound

Fig. 1.3.4. An element is composed of only one type of atom while a compound is composed
of two or more different kinds of atoms that are chemically combined.

Elements
Elements are the simplest substances because they are made up of only one kind of atom.
It is a pure substance that is composed of only one type of atom. The atoms of one element
are different from those of another element. For example, the element copper is composed
only of copper atoms, while the element iron is composed only of iron atoms.
 iron
copper

Fig. 1.3.5 . Elements of different kinds also differ in the atoms that make them up.

1.3 Pure Substances and Mixtures 7

Unit 1: Matter

An element cannot be decomposed into simpler substances by physical or chemical means.

Thus, it is not possible to alter the identity of a certain element through ordinary chemical
reactions.

Physical changes such as melting, freezing, or cutting do not change the identity of pure
substances. Take, for example, the case of gold, a metallic element that is often used for
jewelry. Gold is malleable and has a low melting point, which makes it a suitable material for
jewelry making. Heating a sheet of gold to shape it into a ring will not change it into another
substance. It is still gold but with different shapes and sizes.

Fig. 1.3.6. Gold is a metallic element that is commonly used for making jewelry.
 Since elements are the simplest forms of substance, they are also considered as the building
blocks of matter. This is because when elements react with one another, a new substance in
the form of a compound is formed.

Fig. 1.3.7, Water (H2O) is formed when two atoms of hydrogen (H) combined with one atom
of oxygen (O).

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Unit 1: Matter

There are 118 elements known to exist in which 94 of these occur naturally on Earth, while
the remaining 24 are synthetic. Each element has a place in an arrangement called the
periodic table of elements. Each element has its own chemical name and symbol. A
chemical symbol consists of one to three letters. The first letter is always capitalized, and
the other letters are always set in lowercase. The first letter is usually the first letter of the
element name, while the second letter is usually the second letter of the element name. For
instance, the chemical symbol for Oxygen is O, while the chemical symbol for Calcium is Ca.
Some chemical symbols are taken from the Latin names of the given element. Table. 1.3.2
shows a list of the elements and their symbols from their Latin names.

Table 1.3.2. List of elements and their symbols from their Latin names.
Element Symbol Latin name

antimony Sb stibium

copper Cu cuprum

gold Au aurum
 iron Fe ferrum

lead Pb plumbum

mercury Hg hydrargyrum

potassium K kalium

silver Ag argentum

sodium Na natrium

tin Sn stannum

tungsten W wolfram

A periodic table is a useful tool that can help in identifying elements that exhibit similar
properties. The table classifies the elements into three general categories: metals,
nonmetals, and metalloids.

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Unit 1: Matter

Fig. 1.3.8. The periodic table of elements is the arrangement of all known elements
 according to their chemical properties.

Metals start at the left and make up most of the elements in the periodic table. In fact, all
elements to the left of the staircase-like line in the periodic table (except hydrogen) are
generally classified as metals. Nonmetals are at the right part of the periodic table and are
often shaded with different colors to distinguish them from metals. The metalloids lie
between the metals and nonmetals. These elements form the staircase-like line in the
periodic table.

Metals have properties that distinguish them from nonmetals. For instance, metals (except
mercury) are solid at room temperature. Metals have luster or the property that makes them
shiny. Most metals exhibit malleability or a property that enables metals to be hammered
into thin sheets without breaking. Metals also possess ductility or the ability to be drawn
into wires. Also, metals are good conductors of heat and electricity. This is the reason why
metals are good raw materials for making cooking pans, pots, and electrical wirings.

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Unit 1: Matter

Fig. 1.3.9. Silver, platinum, and tungsten are examples of metals.

 Did You Know?
Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature. It is
a shiny, silvery liquid metal that forms beads due to its high
surface tension. Mercury is also known as quicksilver due to its
appearance and mobility.

Fig. 1.3.10. Mercury has a high surface tension that enables it to

form beads when separated.

Some metals like iron, nickel, and cobalt possess magnetic properties. These magnetic
materials are used in electric motors, generators and transformers, and storage devices
such as tape recorders and hard disks.

1.3 Pure Substances and Mixtures 11

Unit 1: Matter

hard disk speaker cassette tape

 Fig. 1.3.11. Examples of materials that utilize magnetic metals to function.

Nonmetals, on the other hand, are the opposite of metals. Generally, nonmetals are either
gaseous or dull solids. These elements are brittle as they break apart easily when subjected
to a heavy blow. Nonmetals are poor conductors of heat and electricity. The major elements
in living things such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur are all nonmetals.

Fig. 1.3.12. Bromine is the only nonmetal that is liquid at room temperature.

Metalloids (or semimetals) are elements that exhibit properties of both metals and
nonmetals. Some metalloids are shiny like metal but are also brittle like a nonmetal.
Metalloids can conduct heat and electricity but not as good as how metals act as
conductors. This is the reason why metalloids are known as semiconductors.

1.3 Pure Substances and Mixtures 12

Unit 1: Matter
 Fig. 1.3.13. Silicon and germanium are metalloids that are widely used in the manufacture
of computer chips.

How can elements be broken down into

much simpler forms?

Compounds
Compounds are pure substances that
are
composed of two or more different
elements that
are combined in a fixed ratio by a
chemical reaction.
Many compounds are formed naturally
due to
geologic processes on Earth, while some
compounds
are formed when an element reacts
with one of the
gaseous elements in the air. Some
compounds are
products of chemical reactions between
two or more
compounds. Living things, like plants,
produce
glucose, an organic compound, during
photosynthesis.

The elements that comprise a compound exist in a

fixed mass ratio. Recall that water has hydrogen and
 1.3 Pure Substances and Mixtures 13

Unit 1: Matter

oxygen. Each molecule of water has two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen. The
three atoms are tightly held by a strong, attractive force.

The chemical bonds that hold atoms together in a compound cannot be broken easily.
However, unlike elements, compounds can be broken down into simpler forms by means of
a chemical reaction. For instance, when an electric current is passed through water, a
chemical change takes place. The atoms of water molecules break apart into two elements -
hydrogen and oxygen.

Fig. 1.3.15. In water electrolysis, an electric current is passed through water to separate its
components to oxygen and hydrogen.

When elements combine to form compounds, their identities change as well. A chemical
change alters the identity of the substance. The properties of elements that make up a
compound are different from the properties of the compound formed. For instance, table
salt has a chemical name sodium chloride (NaCl) as it is composed of one atom of sodium
and one atom of chlorine. Table salt is often used as a food additive, but sodium alone is
explosive, while chlorine can be toxic. Thus, this shows that the chemical reaction between
sodium and chlorine, both highly reactive elements, can produce a compound that is edible.
 1.3 Pure Substances and Mixtures 14

Unit 1: Matter

Fig. 1.3.16. Table salt or sodium chloride is a compound formed when sodium and chlorine
combined together through a chemical reaction.

Compounds may be classified according to the specific elements that are present. Organic
compounds are substances that contain the elements carbon and hydrogen. The term
“organic” is often associated with the word natural as it was believed before that only living
things can produce organic compounds. However, scientists eventually discovered that
organic compounds could also be produced artificially in laboratories. Most organic
compounds are present in the food that the body needs in order to thrive. These organic
compounds are carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Inorganic compounds are
substances that do not have carbon-hydrogen bonds. Carbon dioxide, water, and table salt
are all examples of inorganic compounds.

Fig. 1.3.17. The food that a person eats provides the organic compounds that the body
needs in order to grow and survive.
 1.3 Pure Substances and Mixtures 15

Unit 1: Matter
How do compounds differ from elements?

Mixtures
Mixtures consist of two or more substances that are combined physically. When two or
more substances are put together, they form a mixture if there is no chemical reaction that
took place between them. For example, water and table salt are both compounds. When
table salt is dissolved in water, a brine or salt solution is formed. The water and salt retain
their properties even though they are mixed together. The brine tastes salty because of the
presence of salt, but it also remains clear due to the characteristic of water.

Fig. 1.3.18. Seawater is a mixture of dissolved salts and water.

Unlike elements and compounds, mixtures are not pure substances. Instead, mixtures
contain more than one type of substance. Each substance in a mixture has the same
chemical make up it had before the mixture is formed. Also, mixtures do not have definite
proportions. The amount of substances present in a mixture varies depending on the
number of combined substances. For example, a person who prefers to drink a strong
coffee will add less sugar in it than a person who prefers to drink a sweeter one. Because of
this, mixtures do not have definite properties. The properties of mixtures depend on the
substances that are present in it.
 1.3 Pure Substances and Mixtures 16

Unit 1: Matter

Mixtures may be further classified as homogeneous or heterogeneous. Each type of mixture

has unique characteristics that set them apart from one another.

Homogeneous Mixtures
A homogeneous mixture consists of particles that are evenly spread out or distributed. The
components of a homogeneous mixture cannot be distinguished from each other. This is
because the particles of the components of a homogeneous mixture are so small that they
cannot be seen by the naked eye. Homogeneous mixtures are also known as solutions.

A solution is composed of a solute and a solvent. The solute

is the substance that is dissolved by another substance, while
the solvent is the dissolving medium in which the solute
dissolves. In a typical solution, the solvent is the most
abundant substance, while solute exists in smaller amounts.

Substances that dissolve in a given solvent are soluble. For

instance, salt and sugar are both soluble in water since these
substances dissolve when mixed thoroughly with water.
Liquids that are soluble in each other at all proportions are
miscible. Alcohol and water mix well as they are miscible,
contrary to oil and water which are immiscible.

When a solute dissolves in a solvent, its particles are pulled

away from one another. The particles of the solvent penetrate
the space between solute particles. As the solvent particles
continue to surround the solute particles, both components
are evenly spread out, creating a homogeneous mixture.
 1.3 Pure Substances and Mixtures 17

Unit 1: Matter

Fig. 1.3.20. Solutes dissolved in a solvent when the solute particles are pulled away from
one another, and the solvent particles continue to surround it until they are evenly spread
out.

Solutions may be solid, liquid, or gas. Most solutions are in the liquid phase. Solutions in
which the solvent is water is known as aqueous solutions. Some examples of aqueous
solutions are wine, alcohol, and soft drink.
 Fig. 1.3.21. Wine is a solution of alcohol and water while soft drink consists of dissolved
carbon dioxide and sugars in water.

1.3 Pure Substances and Mixtures 18

Unit 1: Matter

On the other hand, solid solutions are called alloys or mixtures of metals with other metals
or nonmetals. Metals are combined with other substances to improve their durability.

Fig. 1.3.22. Steel (left) is an alloy that is made up of iron and carbon. Brass (right) is an alloy
of copper and zinc.

Unpolluted air is a gaseous solution. Air is composed of different gases in varying

proportions - nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), and other gases (1%).

Heterogeneous Mixtures
A heterogeneous mixture consists of particles that are not evenly distributed throughout.
The components of a heterogeneous mixture can be distinguished from each other.
Heterogeneous mixtures can be classified as suspensions or colloids.

Colloids are heterogeneous mixtures with particles that are bigger than those of a solution
but smaller than those of a suspension. The particles of colloids do not settle even after
being left to stand for a long time. This is the reason why colloidal particles can exhibit
Tyndall effect, a phenomenon wherein light is scattered. Some examples of colloids are
 mayonnaise, hair gel, and blood.

1.3 Pure Substances and Mixtures 19

Unit 1: Matter

Fig. 1.3.23. Due to the spaces between colloidal particles, light is able to pass through and
scatter in a colloid.

Suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures with suspended particles that are large enough to
be seen by the naked eye. Due to the size of the particles of a suspension, they are greatly
affected by gravity, causing them to settle at the bottom of the container. For instance, a can
of pineapple juice needs to be shaken well before drinking so that its pulp will mix well with
the juice before drinking.

Remember
To easily distinguish the types of mixtures, always refer to the
uniformity of its appearance. Homogeneous mixtures have a
uniform appearance, while heterogeneous mixtures are not
uniform in terms of its appearance.

Key Points
 ___________________________________________________________________________________________

● Matter may be classified according to their composition. The two major classifications
of matter are pure substances and mixtures.
○ A pure substance is a kind of matter with a definite or fixed composition.
■ An element is the simplest form of matter made up of one type of
atom.

1.3 Pure Substances and Mixtures 20

Unit 1: Matter

■ A compound is made up of different kinds of atoms that are combined

through a chemical reaction.
○ Mixtures consist of two or more substances that are combined physically.
■ A homogeneous mixture, also known as solution, consists of
particles that are evenly spread out or distributed.
■ A heterogeneous mixture consists of particles that are not evenly
distributed throughout.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Check Your Understanding

A. Match each description to the correct term.

 _______ 1. a substance that is made up of only one kind of A. alloys
atom
B. colloids
_______ 2. a substance that is composed of two or C. compound
more different kinds of elements
D. element
_______ 3. also known as homogeneous mixtures

_______ 4. elements that are good conductors of heat E. inorganic

and electricity
F. organic
_______ 5. also known as semimetals

1.3 Pure Substances and Mixtures 21

Unit 1: Matter
_______ 6. compound that contains the elements, G. metals
carbon, and hydrogen
H. metalloids
_______ 7. heterogeneous mixtures with
intermediate particles that exhibit I. nonmetals
Tyndall effect
J. solute
_______ 8. dissolving medium in a solution
K. solution
_______ 9. substances that are dissolved in a solution
L. solvent
_______ 10. solid solutions that are composed of metals
and other elements
M. suspension

B. Tell whether the statement is true or false.

__________ 1. Similar to compounds, elements can be broken down into simpler

forms.

__________ 2. Mixtures are composed of substances that are physically combined.

__________ 3. Components of mixtures can be separated through physical means.

__________ 4. Solutions that have water as solvent are said to be aqueous.

 __________ 5. Suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures that have particles that
can scatter light as it passes through them.

C. Classify the following materials either as an element, a compound,

or a mixture.

___________________ 1.

zinc

1.3 Pure Substances and Mixtures 22

Unit 1: Matter
___________________ 2.

sulfur

___________________ 3.

mayonnaise
 ___________________ 4.

baking soda

___________________ 5.

coins

1.3 Pure Substances and Mixtures 23

Unit 1: Matter
Challenge Yourself

A. Answer the following questions.

1. How can you easily distinguish homogeneous mixtures from heterogeneous mixtures?
2. Which type of mixture has components that are easiest to separate? Why?
B. Answer the following questions.

3. Why do some medications require you to shake them well before drinking?
4. Why is it possible to see a beam of sunlight between clouds and the ground?
C. Answer the given question.
5. How would you know if the given element is metal, nonmetal, or metalloid? Cite a simple
experiment that you can design to determine the kind of a given mystery element.

Photo Credits

Silver, by High Res Images of Chemical Elements is licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia
Commons.

Platinum-nugget, by Alchemist-hp is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Tungsten element, by W. Oelen is licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Bromine 25ml, by W. Oelen is licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

SaltinWaterSolution, by Chris 73 is licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons. 1.3

Pure Substances and Mixtures 24

Unit 1: Matter
Bibliography

Chang, Raymond, and Kenneth A. Goldsby. General Chemistry: The Essential Concepts. New
York: McGraw-Hill, 2014.

Handwerker, Mark J. Science Essentials. San Francisco, CA.: Jossey-Bass, 2005.

Hawe, Alan, Dan Davies, Kendra McMahon, Lee Towler, Chris Collier, and Tonie Scott.
Science 5–11: A Guide for Teachers. 2nd ed. New York, NY: David Fulton Publishers,
2009.

Petrucci, Ralph H. General Chemistry: Principles and Modern Applications. Toronto,

Ont.: Pearson Canada, 2011.

Silberberg, Martin S. Principles of General Chemistry. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2013.

1.3 Pure Substances and Mixtures 25