A heterogeneous mixture is a combination of visible components that retain their properties without chemical reactions. It differs from compounds and homogeneous mixtures and can be separated by simple processes. The term comes from Greek words meaning “different things.”
A heterogeneous mixture has several components that are clearly visible and possess clearly identifiable separate properties without mixing of substances or traits. This can involve any combination of gases, liquids or solids, as long as no chemical transformations, alterations or catalysts are present. The blend does not require a specific composition or ratio of ingredients for the various ingredients to retain their properties. Everyday examples include track mix, air, or oil floating on the surface of the water.
In chemistry, mixtures differ from compounds in that they do not possess unique chemical properties caused by the combination of ingredients. Compounds create new chemical bonds when ingredients are mixed; mixtures can combine without affecting the chemical properties of the substances, even if some characteristics may appear to be different. For example, adding olives to a salad will create a heterogeneous mixture that can alter the flavor of the salad, but does not alter the physical composition of the lettuce or dressing. Lettuce is still lettuce and not some other substance transformed from olives.
A heterogeneous mixture differs from a homogeneous mixture in the distribution of its materials. Its components are distributed unevenly, as opposed to an equal homogeneous mixture, with proportionate ratios of the ingredients present throughout.
A particular type of mixture is suspension, which involves relatively large solid particles suspended and distributed in a liquid or gas. When suspended solids begin to settle, the process is called settling. Although for a time the mixture may appear evenly distributed and thoroughly mixed, over time the slurry will always settle, with the heavier solid sinking below the suspending medium or to the bottom of a container.
Heterogeneous mixtures can be separated by simple separation or filtration processes, such as separating the grain from the chaff or draining the noodles from the water. Components with different densities can be separated by the flotation process, where lighter components rise while heavier ones sink. Filtration is used to separate mixtures containing at least one solid ingredient. Compounds, on the other hand, often require heating or some other chemical catalyst to trigger the reaction that would separate the ingredients.
The very word “heterogeneous” comes from two Greek words. The first, heteros, means “different” and the second, genos, refers to a kind or type of thing. Together, they become “different thing” or a mixture of different things.
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