Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Mixtures

• Mixtures can be divided into two types based on their composition. These are homogeneous mixtures and heterogeneous mixtures.

Homogeneous Mixtures

• Homogeneous mixtures have a uniform composition.

• This means that regardless of where a sample is taken from, the sample would contain the same blend of components.

• Examples of homogeneous mixtures include mouthwash, paint and stainless steel.

Mouthwash, paint and stainless steel are homogeneous mixtures.

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Heterogeneous Mixtures

• Heterogeneous mixtures have a non-uniform composition.

• This means that if samples were taken from different places within the mixture, the blend of components would not be the same.

• Examples of heterogeneous mixtures include mud and a bowl of cereal.

Breakfast cereals, mud and concrete are heterogeneous mixtures.

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Phases

• A phase is a part of a mixture that has a uniform composition.

• Since homogeneous mixtures have a uniform composition throughout, they have only one phase.

• Since heterogeneous mixtures do not have a uniform composition throughout, they have more than one phase.

• For example, an oil-water mixture has an oil phase and a water phase.

Oil and water form separate phases within a mixture.

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