Question

Classify the following into elements, compounds and mixtures. (a) Sodium (b) Soil (c) Sugar solution (d) Silver (e) Calcium carbonate (f) Tin (g) Silicon (h) Coal (i) Air (j) Soap (k) Methane (1) Carbon dioxide (m) Blood

Answer 1

Hint Elements are the pure substances that cannot be broken down into simpler particles. Compounds are made up of more 2 or more elements and have a fixed composition. A mixture is something that consists of more than one substance mixed in any proportion. These definitions can be used to classify the given substances.

Complete step by step solution:
- Let us first understand the classification of matter. The matter is something that has mass and occupies a volume.
- Matter is broadly classified into pure substances and mixtures.
- Let us first look into pure substances. Pure substances are those that only have a single type of particle. Pure substances can be classified into two - elements and compounds.
- Elements are the pure substances that cannot be broken down into simpler particles. Examples of elements are – Hydrogen, Helium, and Lithium etc.
- Whereas compounds are those substances that are made up of more 2 or more elements and have fixed composition, but can be broken down into elements by methods like chemical reactions or electrochemical reactions. Examples of compounds include – ammonia, water and methanol etc.
- Now, let us understand what is meant by a mixture. A mixture is something that consists of more than one substance mixed in any proportion. A mixture can be separated into pure substances by using the appropriate separation techniques. Some examples of mixtures include – A mixture of alcohol and water, oil in water etc.
- Now that we know the definition of elements, compounds and mixtures, we can easily classify anything into these three.
- The elements in the question are - (a) Sodium, (d) Silver, (f) Tin and (g) Silicon.
- The compounds in the question are - (e) Calcium carbonate, (k) Methane and (l) Carbon dioxide.

- The mixtures in the question are - (b) Soil, (c) Sugar solution, (h) Coal, (i) Air, (j) Soap and (m) Blood.

Note: Coal is not a compound even though it is mostly carbon. This is because it also contains other elements like H, S, O, N. Coal is formed as a result of the decay of dead plants. Hence, it is not a compound. It is a mixture.