Water is actually a compound made up of hydrogen and oxygen, with a chemical formula of H2O. 1 When water is pure and doesn’t contain any dissolved minerals or impurities, it is a compound. However, when water contains dissolved minerals or impurities, it becomes a homogeneous mixture while still maintaining the same chemical formula of H2O.
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Key Takeaways: Is Water a Homogeneous Mixture?
- Water is a compound made up of hydrogen and oxygen.
- Water is considered a homogeneous mixture when it contains dissolved substances that are uniformly distributed throughout the water.
- Pure water, without any dissolved substances or impurities, is a compound, not a homogeneous mixture.
When is water considered a homogeneous mixture?
Water is considered a homogeneous mixture when it contains dissolved substances, such as minerals or other solutes, that are uniformly distributed throughout the water on a molecular level. This uniform distribution creates a consistent composition and properties, making it a homogeneous mixture.
When water interacts with its surroundings, it has the ability to dissolve a wide range of substances. 2 This leads to the formation of a homogeneous mixture.
For example, when salt is dissolved in water, the salt particles disperse and become evenly distributed, resulting in a uniform composition.
The same principle applies to other solutes, such as sugar or minerals, when they dissolve in water. The dissolved substances are uniformly spread out, creating a homogeneous mixture.
In a homogeneous mixture of water, the properties remain consistent throughout. The dissolved substances do not separate or settle out over time, as they are distributed evenly at the molecular level.
This uniformity allows for the properties of the water, such as density, boiling point, and conductivity, to be consistent throughout the mixture.
Hence, when water contains dissolved substances that are uniformly dispersed, it is classified as a homogeneous mixture. 3
When is water not considered a homogeneous mixture?
Water is not considered a homogeneous mixture when it is in its purest form without any dissolved substances or impurities. In this state, water is a compound, consisting of H2O molecules that are uniformly bonded together. 4
Pure water, also known as distilled water or deionized water, is composed solely of water molecules and does not contain any dissolved substances. 5 It is a compound rather than a homogeneous mixture because its composition is uniform at the molecular level.
The H2O molecules are consistently bonded together throughout the sample, creating a pure substance with consistent properties.
In contrast, when water contains dissolved substances or impurities, such as minerals, gases, or pollutants, it becomes a homogeneous mixture.
These dissolved substances are uniformly dispersed within the water, creating a homogeneous composition on a molecular scale. This is commonly observed in natural water sources, tap water, or water with additives.
The presence of dissolved substances affects the properties of water, such as its taste, conductivity, or boiling point, making it a homogeneous mixture.
Therefore, water is not considered a homogeneous mixture in its purest form, but rather a compound. It becomes a homogeneous mixture when it contains dissolved substances or impurities.
Further reading
Why is Salt Water a Homogeneous Mixture?
Why is Oil and Water a Heterogeneous Mixture?
Is Salt Water a Pure Substance?
Is Salt Water a Heterogeneous Mixture?
Why is Granite a Heterogeneous Mixture?
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References
- P. (n.d.). Water. Water | H2O | CID 962 – PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/962
- Solvent properties of water (article) | Khan Academy. (n.d.). Khan Academy. https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/water-acids-and-bases/hydrogen-bonding-in-water/a/water-as-a-solvent
- Foundation, C. (n.d.). CK12-Foundation. CK12-Foundation. https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-chemistry-flexbook-2.0/section/2.8/primary/lesson/homogeneous-mixture-chem/
- Weird Science: Pure Water and Water Mixtures | manoa.hawaii.edu/ExploringOurFluidEarth. (n.d.). Weird Science: Pure Water and Water Mixtures | manoa.hawaii.edu/ExploringOurFluidEarth. https://manoa.hawaii.edu/exploringourfluidearth/chemical/chemistry-and-seawater/salty-sea/weird-science-pure-water-and-water-mixtures
- Distilled water – Wikipedia. (2010, June 14). Distilled Water – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distilled_water
