Which refers to a mixture that contains more than one phase in which the characteristics of the particles vary throughout the mixture?
A. compound
B. element
C. heterogeneous
D. homogeneous
Answer (1)
The question asks to identify the type of mixture with multiple phases and varying characteristics.
Define compound, element, heterogeneous mixture, and homogeneous mixture.
Eliminate compound and element as they are not mixtures.
Identify heterogeneous mixture as the correct answer because it has non-uniform composition and multiple phases.
The answer is \boxed{heterogeneous}.
Explanation
Understanding the Problem The question asks us to identify the type of mixture that has more than one phase and whose particle characteristics vary throughout. We are given four options: compound, element, heterogeneous, and homogeneous.
Defining the Terms Let's define each of the terms to determine which one fits the description:
Compound: A substance formed when two or more elements are chemically bonded together.
Element: A pure substance consisting of only one type of atom.
Heterogeneous mixture: A mixture that has non-uniform composition, meaning the components are not evenly distributed and different phases are visible.
Homogeneous mixture: A mixture that has uniform composition, meaning the components are evenly distributed and only one phase is visible.
Eliminating Options Based on the definitions, we can eliminate:
Compound: This is a chemically bonded substance, not a mixture.
Element: This is a pure substance, not a mixture.
Choosing the Correct Option Now we are left with heterogeneous and homogeneous mixtures. The question specifies that the mixture has more than one phase and the characteristics of the particles vary throughout. This means the composition is not uniform.
Heterogeneous mixture: This fits the description because it has non-uniform composition and multiple phases can be present.
Homogeneous mixture: This does not fit the description because it has uniform composition and only one phase is present.
Conclusion Therefore, the correct answer is heterogeneous .
Examples
Understanding the different types of mixtures is crucial in everyday life. For example, when you make a salad dressing with oil and vinegar, you create a heterogeneous mixture because the oil and vinegar do not mix evenly and remain in separate phases. Recognizing this helps you understand why you need to shake the dressing before using it to temporarily distribute the components. Similarly, understanding homogeneous mixtures, like saltwater, helps explain why the salt is evenly distributed throughout the water, making it taste the same no matter where you sample it.
