Question

A solution is a homogeneous mixture. Can you give an example of a gaseous homogeneous mixture? A liquid homogeneous mixture? A solid homogeneous mixture?

Short answer

An example of a gaseous homogeneous mixture is air, composed of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and noble gases uniformly mixed. For a liquid homogeneous mixture, saltwater is an example where table salt is evenly distributed throughout water. Finally, an example of a solid homogeneous mixture is an alloy such as stainless steel, where iron and chromium are combined uniformly in their solid state.

Step-by-step solution

Gaseous Homogeneous Mixture

An example of a gaseous homogeneous mixture would be air. Air is composed of a variety of gases like nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and noble gases, that are uniformly mixed together and appears as a single substance.

Liquid Homogeneous Mixture

An example of a liquid homogeneous mixture would be saltwater. By dissolving table salt (sodium chloride) into water, we create a uniform mixture that appears as a single substance. The salt is evenly distributed throughout the water, forming a homogeneous mixture.

Solid Homogeneous Mixture

An example of a solid homogeneous mixture would be an alloy, like stainless steel. Alloys are made by combining two or more metals, which are uniformly mixed together in their solid state. Stainless steel, for instance, is formed by mixing iron and chromium, creating a homogeneous mixture that appears as a single substance.

Key concepts

Gaseous Mixture

A gaseous mixture is a combination of gases that are evenly distributed to form a single, uniform phase. One of the most common examples of a gaseous homogeneous mixture is air. Air is essential for life on Earth and is composed of several gases, predominantly nitrogen (about 78%) and oxygen (about 21%). Other components include small amounts of carbon dioxide, argon, and water vapor. These gases blend seamlessly at the molecular level, making it impossible to distinguish between them with the naked eye.

This uniformity is crucial for processes like breathing, where an even distribution of gases ensures that living organisms receive the necessary oxygen regardless of location. Just as the air in New York has the same composition as the air in Tokyo, thanks to this even mixing. Understanding how gases mix allows us to comprehend weather patterns, the spread of pollutants, and even how life-support systems are designed for space exploration.

Liquid Mixture

Liquid mixtures occur when two or more substances are mixed in a liquid form without any visible separation. A classic example of a liquid homogeneous mixture is saltwater. When table salt (sodium chloride) dissolves in water, the salt particles become uniformly distributed among the water molecules.

This even distribution means that every sample taken from the mixture will have the same composition. Saltwater is not just common in oceans, but it also provides an excellent example of how solutions work on a molecular level. The salt dissolves completely and evenly, forming strong bonds with the water molecules, which prevents it from settling at the bottom over time.

• Useful in cooking and food preservation.
• Important for various chemical processes.

The process of dissolving also demonstrates principles such as solubility and concentration, key concepts in chemistry that explain the behavior of substances in different conditions.

Solid Mixture

A solid mixture, often referred to as an alloy, is a combination of solid substances mixed at the atomic level to form a uniform solid. Alloys like stainless steel are a perfect illustration of solid homogeneous mixtures. Stainless steel is created by mixing iron with chromium along with other elements like nickel and molybdenum, depending on the desired properties.

These elements are melted together and allowed to solidify, resulting in a uniform distribution of molecules. This uniformity provides alloys with enhanced strength and resistance to rust compared to pure metals. Solid mixtures are used widely in construction, manufacturing, and electronics due to their improved characteristics over individual metals.

• Increased strength and durability.
• Improved resistance to corrosion.

By understanding solid mixtures, you can better appreciate the engineering behind common materials like kitchen sinks and even the buildings around us.