This animation describes and defines the categories of matter, and the ways in which they differ from one another. Before you view the segment, review the vocabulary you learned on page 2. In particular, the terms “pure substance,” “mixtures,” “elements,” and “compounds” will be coming into play.
One thing you will see in the video but won't hear in the audio (or read in the transcript) is that there are two types of mixtures: heterogenous, and homogenous. You don't need to know what these terms mean yet, just that they are the two mixture categories.
Remember: you can view the animation as many times as you like, stop it at any time, and read the transcript as you watch the segment.
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All matter is formed from atoms and the types of atoms are limited (118). But the ways in which the different atoms combine to form matter can get pretty complicated. Luckily, scientists have categorized matter to help us make sense of it all.
First, there are the pure substances- which are matter made up of single types of either atoms (ie. elements) or single types of molecules (which are atoms that are bonded together (H2O or salt)). They are considered “pure” substances because they are comprised of a single type of ingredient- In the case of the element, a single type of atom. In the case of a compound, a single type of molecule.
Then, there are mixtures- which is matter made up of pure substances that are mixed, but not bonded, together. Combine two compounds (ie. water + salt) and you get a mixture. Combine an element and a compound, and you get a mixture. Element + element? Yep, mixture. You can have mixture with lots of ingredients, and mixtures with only a few. The key is that mixtures are what you get when two or more pure substances are mixed, but not bonded, together.
And these categories--pure substances and mixtures--help scientists make sense of the matter around us
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