CHM MOOC

Module 2 Part 2
Energy and Matter

Section 2.4: Phases and Composition of Matter

Section 2.5: Homogeneous vs. Heterogeneous Mixtures

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 2.4: Phases of Matter
• Matter is defined as anything that contains mass.

• Matter can exist as three different phases- solid, liquid, and gas.

• The table below breaks down the three phases:

(this would be good to memorize!)
 Condensed Phases
• Solids, liquids, and gases we can view as a collection of
particles.

• Solid and liquid phases are referred to as condensed phases as

particles are closely packed lending to complicated
interactions. The gas phase is not condensed due to the very
large distance between gas particles relative to solid or liquid
phases.

• Packing of solids are much like oranges packed in a fruit box,

while gas particles would be oranges separated by miles.
 Breaking Down Matter
• All matter is composed of elements from the periodic table.

• Each block in the table represents an element, or most basic

type of substance.

• An atom is the simplest building block of matter, and atoms

can be classified by which type of element they represent.
 Atomic Combinations
• Matter can exist in many complex forms, but the most basic
forms are atoms, molecules, and compounds.

• Atoms are single building blocks of matter, and when two or

more atoms are attractively bound to one another they can
form molecules.

• Compounds form from the joining of atoms of two or more

elements.
 Breaking down our definitions
• Just to make sure we’re all on the same page:

2 or more atoms ➔ molecule

2 or more atoms of different elements ➔ compound

2.5: Mixtures
• Let’s take a step back from the atomic view to look at the big
picture of mixtures.

• Mixtures are two or more substances combined where each

of the substances retains its individual identity.

• Think of mixing salt and pepper. Salt in the mixture would

still be salt, and pepper would still be pepper (they still keep
their identities).
 Homogeneous Mixtures
• We can further classify mixtures into two
different categories: homogeneous and
heterogeneous.

• Milk is homogenized, and is a mixture of

many different substances, so we can
classify it as a mixture.

• Milk from the top and bottom of the jug

are uniform in taste, color, and
composition.

• The key to a homogeneous mixture is

being uniform throughout.
2.5: Heterogeneous Mixtures
• A bowl of trail mix or a fruit salad may result in a different
composition per bite if you were to take a bowl or handful.

• Look at the fruit salad- if you poke your fork in will you
always get the same bite of the same kind of fruit? No!

• This lack of uniformity, usually the result of being able to

physically identify components in the mixture, is what makes
a heterogeneous mixture.
 Practice: Phases
The “weights” on motor oil such as 10W-30 is based
largely on the viscosity of the oil, or how much it
resists flowing. Motor oil is a cohesive substance that
pours and flows, and when poured into a container it
takes the shape of the container. A partially filled
container of oil will remain partially filled. Is motor oil
a solid, liquid, or gas based on the description?

When you’re ready, click for the answer worked in a

video, but MAKE SURE TO TRY IT YOURSELF FIRST!
 Practice: Mixtures
Chef salad contains many different ingredients, including sliced
boiled eggs, tomato slices, spinach, and pieces of boiled ham.
The ingredients are layered atop the pile of spinach. Is the
described salad a mixture? If so, is it homogeneous or
heterogeneous?

When you’re ready, click for the answer worked in a video, but
MAKE SURE TO TRY IT YOURSELF FIRST!
Good Job!

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