EXPERIMENTING
WITH MIXTURES,
COMPOUNDS, AND
ELEMENTS
Unifying Theme:
All matter consists of mixtures, compounds, and
elements.
Unit Concept:
Mixtures, compounds, and elements can be
distinguished by their physical and chemical
properties.
Mixtures have the properties of their
components and can be separated by
physical means.
Compounds have properties different
from those of their constituent
elements and can be separated by
chemical means.
Elements are the basic forms of
matter, have unique physical and
chemical properties, and cannot be
separated into other forms.
We have some ideas about pure substances and
mixtures. (Lesson 1)
Lesson 1- What is a pure substance
and what is a mixture?
o We can identify elements by their characteristic properties.
o We can classify substances as either pure substances or mixtures.
Words to Know and Use:
chemical reaction, compound, conductor, dissolve,
effervescent, element, filter, insoluble, magnetic, mixture,
physical change, product, reactant, reactivity, soluble
Substances can be classified as pure substances
or mixtures based on their composition and
behavior. (Lessons 2-5)
Lesson 2- Is it a pure substance or is it
a mixture?
Words to Know and Use:
mixture, pure substance, heterogeneous, homogenous,
composite
Lesson 3- How can I separate a soluble
and insoluble substance?
o Evaporation and filtering can be used as a separation technique
o Crystals of solids may form when a solvent evaporates into a saturated
solution
Words to Know and Use:
crystal, solution, solute, solvent, filter, filtration
Lesson 4- How can I separate a solute?
o Chromatography can be used to analyze a mixture.
o A mixture can have properties of one or more of its components or a
completely different set of properties.
Words to Know and Use:
absorption, adsorption, capillary action, chromatogram,
chromatography
Lesson 5- How do the components of a
mixture affect its properties?
o A mixture can have properties of one or more of its components or a
completely different set of properties.
o Compounds have chemical and physical properties that differ from
those of the elements from which they are composed.
o Salt lowers the melting/freezing point and raises the boiling point
o Changing the concentration of solutes affects the properties of
solutions
o Alloys are solid solutions with at least one metal as a principal
component (the metal determines the melting point)
Words to Know and Use:
component, mixture, freezing point, melting point, boiling
point, alloy, solder
A compound has properties different from its
constituent elements and can be separated only
by chemical means. (Lesson 6)
Lesson 6- How can I break down a
compound?
o Elements are pure substances that cannot be broken down
o Compounds consist of two or more elements that are chemically
combined
o Compounds have physical and chemical properties that differ from
those of the elements of which they are composed.
o You can decompose a compound by passing an electric current through
it.
Words to Know and Use:
element, compound, catalyst, chemical reaction, decompose, electrodes,
electrolyte, flammability
Elements can be identified by their physical
appearance, chemical structure, and behavior.
(Lesson 7)
Lesson 7- How are the elements
classified and organized?
o Grouped by similarities in their physical and chemical properties
o These groups are used to predict the chemical and physical properties
of an element.
Words to Know and Use:
compound, element, chemical properties, physical properties,
electrical conductivity, properties, hardness, reactivity,
magnetic properties, scratch test
Elements can be combined chemically to form
compounds.
Lesson 8- How do I create new
compounds?
o Elements can be classified into two major groups- metals and nonmetals
o Compounds consist of two or more elements that are chemically
combined
o Compounds have physical and chemical properties that differ from
those of the elements from which they are composed
o Chemical reactions can be represented by equations
Words to Know and Use:
element, property, metal, nonmetal, equation, product,
reactant
Lesson 9- What are the characteristics
of a certain compound?
o Compounds have physical and chemical properties that differ from
those of the elements from which they are composed
o Compounds consist of two or more elements that are chemically
combined
Words to Know and Use:
chemical formula, compound, element, bibliography, rubric,
compound, element, exhibit, oral presentation
Lesson 10- What are the properties of
acids and bases? What is the reaction
rate with metal?
o Metals have different chemical properties and different reactions with
oxygen.
o Metals vary in their rates of reaction with acids
o Different metals react at different rates with oxygen and water to
corrode.
o The reactivity of a metal determines how it is extracted and used.
Words to Know and Use:
metal, nonmetal, reactivity, corrosion
Lesson 11- How can we counter
corrosion?
o Corrosion (rusting) is a chemical reaction with identifiable reactants and
products
o Oxygen and water are necessary for the corrosion of an object
o Understanding the corrosion process can help prevent or reduce
corrosion
Words to Know and Use:
corrosion, control, galvanized steel
Mass remains constant during chemical reactions.
(Lesson 12-13)
Lesson 12- What happens to mass
during phase changes?
o Mass remains constant during phase changes.
o The mass of reactants in a chemical reaction is identical to the mass of
the products
o A closed system is needed to demonstrate the conservation of mass
Words to Know and Use:
closed system, open system, conservation of mass,
products, reactants
Lesson 13- What do you know about
mixtures, compounds, and elements?