The Homogeneous mixtures Have distinctive characteristics, emphasizing that they consist of a single phase, their composition is identical, they look uniform with the naked eye, can not filter and most are transparent.
A mixture consists of the union of two or more chemicals that retain their chemical identities.
In the case of homogeneous mixtures, the different substances that compose it can not be detected with the naked eye, or with any other optical magnitude.
Its components, then, are in the same phase and do not present different properties in different portions.
Often, this type of mixture is called a solution. An example of a solution is the mixing of water with salt. Regardless of the amount used of either of these two elements, each portion of this mixture will have water and salt in the same proportion.
Characteristics of homogeneous mixtures
1- consist of a single phase
The matter exists in liquid, solid or gaseous state, regardless of the type of molecule that forms it. This property is known as the phase of matter.
A homogeneous mixture will consist of a single phase. Thus liquid-liquid, solid-solid and gas-gas combinations can be given. But gas-liquid and solid-liquid can also be mixed, both resulting in liquid.
However, all gas-gas mixtures are homogeneous. This happens because the gas molecules are very separated from each other, leaving large empty spaces.
On the other hand, to obtain a homogeneous mixture of two solids, these have to undergo a fusion process. Once the components are melted, they are mixed and allowed to solidify. This is what happens with alloys.
Examples:
Liquids: water and alcohol
Solids: copper and tin (bronze)
Gases: oxygen and nitrogen (air)
Gas-liquid: water vapor
Solid-liquid: coffee (liquid) and sugar
2- Its composition is identical
The distribution of the particles in the homogeneous mixtures is uniform; That is, each portion has the same composition and properties.
An example of this is natural gas. Each portion of this gas contains methane, ethane, propane, butane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, and helium.
Therefore, in each sample taken from this gas, it will be verified that it has exactly the same proportion of each of its components.
The same happens with sugar water. Each time a sample of a particular sample is tested, it will have the same level of sweetness.
3- Look uniform with the naked eye
At first sight, the components of the homogeneous mixtures can not be distinguished and do not present discontinuities.
If you see coffee with milk and sugar, for example, it is not possible to tell which part is coffee, sugar or milk.
This is not the case with heterogeneous mixtures, as in the case of salt and pepper or sugar and sand, where the two elements are clearly visible.
For the above, sometimes it is impossible to recognize just by looking if it is a solvent or a solution. Verbigracia a glass of pure water looks like a glass of water with salt.
4- Can not be filtered
Although the mixtures can be separated using different physical or mechanical processes, the filtrate will not achieve purification if it is homogeneous.
In this way, if you pass vinegar through a filter, your two components will not separate: water and acetic acid.
5- Most are transparent
With the exception of homogeneous solid mixtures, all are transparent; These are, you can look through them. Even if they have color, they retain this property.
References
- Olmsted, J. and Williams, G. M. (1997). Chemistry: The Molecular Science. Iowa: WCB Publishers .
- Kotz, J.C., Treichel, P. M. Townsend, J.R., and Treichel, D.A. (2014). Chemistry & Chemical Reactivity . Connecticut: Cengage Learning.
- Helmenstine, A.M. (2017, April 03). 10 Examples of Homogeneous Mixtures and Heterogeneous Mixtures. Thought Co . Retrieved from thoughtco.com.
- Phases of matter. (2015, May 05). POT. Glenn Research Center. Retrieved from grc.nasa.gov.
- Bettelheim, F.A., Brown, W.H., Campbell, M. K. and Farrell, S. O. (2009). ). Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry . California: Brooks Cole.
- Syamal, A. (2007). Living Science Chemistry 9 . Delhi: Ratna Sagar.