chemistry: Mixtures

Solutions

Matter surrounding us is broadly divided in to three phases-solids, liquids and gases. Further each one of the above can be classified defining their purity as elements, compounds and mixtures.

Elements are single entities with one set of properties, compounds are a combination of more than one element and displaying characteristic properties of their own and mixtures are either combination of elements or elements with compounds or compounds with compounds. Mixtures display properties of the contents that form the mixture and not have their own characteristic property. All the three phases of matter can have these three types viz. elements, compounds and mixtures.Solution is the term used to describe a mixture of two or more substances.Generally one of the components is in large quantity and the others are in small quantities. The large quantity part of the substance is called the solvent in which the smaller quantities called solutes are mixed which is termed as dissolution. The dissolution may be complete or partial.

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