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Ch.1 - Matter, Measurement & Problem Solving
Chapter 1, Problem 42

Determine whether each molecular diagram represents a pure substance or a mixture. If it represents a pure substance, classify the substance as an element or a compound. If it represents a mixture, classify the mixture as homogeneous or heterogeneous.
Three molecular diagrams illustrating pure substances and mixtures for classification.

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Observe the molecular diagrams carefully to identify the types of particles present in each diagram.
For Diagram I, note that all particles are identical green spheres, indicating a pure substance. Since there is only one type of atom, classify it as an element.
For Diagram II, observe that there are two types of particles: red and yellow spheres bonded together in pairs. This indicates a pure substance composed of two different elements, classifying it as a compound.
For Diagram III, notice the presence of different types of particles: blue, black, purple, and grey spheres, some bonded and some not. This indicates a mixture. Since the particles are uniformly distributed, classify it as a homogeneous mixture.
Summarize the classifications: Diagram I is a pure substance (element), Diagram II is a pure substance (compound), and Diagram III is a homogeneous mixture.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Pure Substances

A pure substance consists of only one type of particle, which can be either an element or a compound. Elements are made up of a single type of atom, while compounds consist of two or more different types of atoms chemically bonded together. In the molecular diagrams, pure substances will show uniformity in particle type and arrangement.
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Mixtures

A mixture contains two or more different types of particles that are not chemically bonded. Mixtures can be classified as homogeneous, where the components are evenly distributed and indistinguishable, or heterogeneous, where the different components are easily identifiable. The arrangement of particles in the diagrams will help determine if a mixture is homogeneous or heterogeneous.
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Molecular Representation

Molecular diagrams visually represent the arrangement and types of particles in a substance. The colors and shapes of the particles in the diagrams indicate different elements or compounds. Analyzing these representations allows for the classification of substances as pure or mixtures, and further categorization into elements, compounds, homogeneous, or heterogeneous mixtures.
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