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Chapter 4: Problem 3

What is the difference between a mixture of two elements and a compound formed from the two elements?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: A mixture is a combination of two or more substances without chemical bonding, and each substance retains its individual properties. Separation can be achieved by physical methods. A compound is a substance formed by the chemical combination of two or more elements in fixed proportions, with different properties than its constituent elements. Separation requires chemical reactions or breaking of chemical bonds.

Step by step solution

01

Define a Mixture

A mixture is a combination of two or more substances that are not chemically bonded to each other. The substances in a mixture retain their individual properties and can be present in varying proportions. Example: A mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gases, without any chemical reaction between the two.
02

Define a Compound

A compound is a substance formed by the chemical combination of two or more elements in fixed proportions. The elements in a compound are bonded together through chemical reactions, and its properties are different from those of the individual elements. Example: Water (H2O) is a compound formed by the chemical combination of hydrogen and oxygen in the ratio of 2:1.
03

Compare Properties

In a mixture, the properties of the individual substances are retained. However, in a compound, the properties are completely different from those of its constituent elements. Example: In a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen, the individual gases retain their respective properties. In contrast, water (H2O) has different properties—such as boiling point, melting point, and density—from those of hydrogen and oxygen.
04

Discuss Separation Methods

Mixtures can generally be separated into their individual components by physical methods, such as filtration, evaporation, or chromatography. On the other hand, compounds require chemical reactions or the breaking of chemical bonds to be separated into their constituent elements. Example: A mixture of hydrogen and oxygen can be separated using a technique like fractional distillation, which exploits the differences in their boiling points. In contrast, water needs to undergo a chemical reaction, such as electrolysis, to separate into hydrogen and oxygen.

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