PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

VOCABULARY:

mixtures
solutions
filtration
distillation
chromatography

INTRODUCTION:
All specimens of matter can be classified as either pure or as mixtures.  Most matter is considered as mixtures which are characterized by variable composition and can be separated by physical means.  For example, blood is a mixture because its composition consists of cells, plasma which can be separated.  The term homogeneous is used to describe portions of matter that are uniform throughout.  Homogeneous mixtures are known as solutions.  Mixtures that are not homogeneous are said to be heterogeneous.  When salt and water are mixed they form a homogenous solution.  When oil and water are mixed the resultant mixture is heterogeneous. 

Chemists often need to separate mixtures into their component substances.  A large number of separation procedures have been developed but we will concentrated on filtration, distillation, and chromatography. The last lab will have the students make a bubble solution.