Matter can be classified as either pure substances or mixtures. Pure substances have a fixed composition and include elements, which contain only one type of atom, and compounds, which contain two or more elements in a fixed ratio. Mixtures have a variable composition and include homogeneous mixtures, which are uniform throughout, and heterogeneous mixtures, where the distinct components can be seen. The document provides examples of elements, compounds, and mixtures to illustrate these classifications.

1. Classification of Matter Rhodora Snow Ph.D.

2. Definition of Matter Has mass and occupies space Examples Water Wood Plastic

3. Classification of Matter Pure Substances Fixed Composition Mixtures Variable Composition Howdoyouturnthison. A plate of dolly mixture. 29 July 2008. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dolly_mixture.JPG

5. All discovered elements are listed in a periodic tableAccordion Guy. Periodic Table of Google Images. September 2006. http://www.neatorama.com/2006/09/24/

7. Examples

8. Water (2 H: 1 O)

9. Sakurambo. Water molecule. 4 August 2007. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Water_molecule_2.svg

10. Hydrogen peroxide (2 H: 2 O)

13. Examples are

14. Air (mixture of mostly nitrogen and oxygen)

15. Steel (mixture of iron, nickel, carbon abd chromium)

17. Uniform throughout

19. Can distinguish boundary of particles