Question.
List the points of differences between homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures]
List the points of differences between homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures]
Solution:
Homogeneous mixture :
(i) The composition of a homogeneous mixture is the same throughout. For example, if you make a solution of sugar in water and taste it by taking a spoonful of solution either from the surface or from somewhere underneath the surface, it tastes equally sweet.
(ii) A homogeneous mixture has no distinct boundaries, i.e., it consists of only one phase which may be solid, liquid or gas. For example, alloys such as brass (30% zinc and 70% copper) is a homogeneous mixture in the solid state. A solution of sugar or common salt in water is homogeneous mixture in the liquid state. Similarly, a solution of water and alcohol is a homogeneous mixture in the liquid state. Pure air (without dust particles and suspended impurities) is a homogeneous mixture in the gaseous state.
Heterogeneous mixture :
(i) The composition of a heterogeneous mixture is not the same throughout. For example, if we prepare a mixture of starch and sugar by thoroughly grinding it and taste it by picking up a few particles from the various portions of the mixture, it will not have the same sweetness
(ii) A heterogeneous mixture has distinct boundaries of separation, i.e., it consists of two or more phases which can either be solids or liquids but not gaseous. For example, iron fillings (greyish in colour) and sulphur powder (yellow) on mixing form a heterogeneous mixture (greyish yellow). When we examine this mixture under a microscope, we clearly see that every small portion of the mixture consists of two solid phases – one of greyish colour consisting of iron filings and the other of yellow colour consisting of sulphur powder. Similarly, a mixture of oil in water is heterogeneous mixture, consisting of two liquid phases – one of oil and the other of water. In other words, oil in water has a distinct boundary separating oil from water.
Homogeneous mixture :
(i) The composition of a homogeneous mixture is the same throughout. For example, if you make a solution of sugar in water and taste it by taking a spoonful of solution either from the surface or from somewhere underneath the surface, it tastes equally sweet.
(ii) A homogeneous mixture has no distinct boundaries, i.e., it consists of only one phase which may be solid, liquid or gas. For example, alloys such as brass (30% zinc and 70% copper) is a homogeneous mixture in the solid state. A solution of sugar or common salt in water is homogeneous mixture in the liquid state. Similarly, a solution of water and alcohol is a homogeneous mixture in the liquid state. Pure air (without dust particles and suspended impurities) is a homogeneous mixture in the gaseous state.
Heterogeneous mixture :
(i) The composition of a heterogeneous mixture is not the same throughout. For example, if we prepare a mixture of starch and sugar by thoroughly grinding it and taste it by picking up a few particles from the various portions of the mixture, it will not have the same sweetness
(ii) A heterogeneous mixture has distinct boundaries of separation, i.e., it consists of two or more phases which can either be solids or liquids but not gaseous. For example, iron fillings (greyish in colour) and sulphur powder (yellow) on mixing form a heterogeneous mixture (greyish yellow). When we examine this mixture under a microscope, we clearly see that every small portion of the mixture consists of two solid phases – one of greyish colour consisting of iron filings and the other of yellow colour consisting of sulphur powder. Similarly, a mixture of oil in water is heterogeneous mixture, consisting of two liquid phases – one of oil and the other of water. In other words, oil in water has a distinct boundary separating oil from water.