Classification of Matter

Abstract

When classifying matter, the material under investigation may be reduced to its atomic structure. The atom is the most basic structure of the material which may be viewed as the element of the material. Copper (Cu), oxygen (O), and tin (Sn) are examples of elements. Combining of elements is a result of bonding covalent, ionic, or metallic. This combines two or more elements to form a compound. This combining can be illustrated by the following compounds: H₂O, NaCl, and CO₂. There are times when there is a combination of elements and compounds. This combination is referred to as a mixture. A basic understanding of mixtures is illustrated when we mix sand and gravel or peas and carrots. Simple Kool-Aid and water are also an example of a mixture. The illustration of peas and carrots is a heterogeneous mixture. It is referred to as heterogeneous because of the ability to recognize and distinguish the components of the mixture. The peas are able to be recognized over the carrots. However the Kool-Aid mixture is an example of a homogeneous mixture. This type of mixture does not allow the differentiation of the components; the final solution of the mixture is a combination of water and the Kool-Aid powder resulting in a liquid Kool-Aid where the components are not unique to each other.

Understanding the basic concepts usually relies on the ability to break down a topic into its basics. No matter how complicated an object or material is, it can be understood to be composed of so many atoms in a certain arrangement. From this base, the more complicated is evolved.