Chemical Properties of Matter examples (Element, Compound and Mixture)

Chemical Properties of Matter (Element, Compound and Mixture)

On the basis of chemical properties, matter is divided into 3 classes which are elements, compounds and mixtures.

In this article you will learn about 3 chemical properties of matter, classification of matter on the basis of chemical properties with examples, compound vs mixture, difference between metal and nonmetal, difference between organic compound and inorganic compound, homogeneous vs heterogeneous mixture and many more.

Table of Contents

Element – Type Chemical properties of Matter

As we know, all matter is made up of atoms. An element is a matter made up of only one type of atom. Therefore, an element can neither be created nor separated by mixing two substances with different properties. If we talk about its electronic structure, each of its atoms has the same nuclear charge. Example of element – Gold, silver, hydrogen, carbon etc.

Elements are divided into three parts on the basis of their physical state which are solid elements, liquid elements and gas elements. Generally, most elements are found in the solid state. For example – iron, gold, silver etc. While some elements are found in liquid state. For example – mercury, bromine. Apart from this, some elements are also found in the gas state. For example – Oxygen, Hydrogen, Nitrogen etc. At present, a total of 118 elements have been discovered.

There are mainly three types of elements.

Metal
Non-Metal
Metalloid

Metal

Metals are elements that are good conductors of both electricity and heat. The properties of malleability and ductility are found in the metal. Metals are usually found in the solid state. The molecular structure of metals is quite complex. Therefore, it takes a lot of effort to change its shape. For example – Gold, silver, aluminum, copper etc.

Non-Metal

Non-metals are elements that are poor conductors of both electricity and heat. Most non-metals are brittle. They have very low malleability and tensile strength. For example- Hydrogen, iodine, carbon etc.

Metalloid

Metalloids are those elements in which the properties of both metals and non-metals are present. For example- silicon, germanium, arsenic etc.

Difference between Metal and Non-Metal – Chemical Properties of Matter

The following are the main differences between metals and non-metals.

Metal	Non-Metal
Metals are usually found in the solid state. Mercury is an exception to this.	Non-metals are found in all three states such as Sulfur in solid state, Bromine in liquid state, Oxygen in gaseous state.
Metals are good conductors of electricity and heat.	Non-metals are poor conductors of both electricity and heat. The exceptions are carbon and graphite.
The metal is shiny.	Non-metals do not shine. The exceptions are graphite and iodine.
Metals have electropositive properties.	Non-metals have electronegative properties.
Metals react with acids to form salts and hydrogen.	Non-metals react with acids to form neither salt nor hydrogen.
Metals are reducing agents.	Non-metals are oxidizing agents.
The metal has malleable properties i.e. it can be beaten into thin sheets.	The non-metal is not converted into a thin sheet.
The metal has ductile properties, that is, it can be stretched to form a thin wire.	By stretching a non-metal we cannot made a thin wire.
Metals are opaque.	Some non-metals are transparent and some are opaque.
A sound is produced when a metal is struck.	No sound is produced when a non-metal is struck.

Compound – Type Chemical properties of Matter

Compounds are formed by chemical reaction of two or more elements in a fixed ratio. For example, a molecule of water is formed by the combination of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom (H₂O). The compound has a fixed melting point and boiling point. Its atomic bond is very complex so it cannot be easily separated.

The compound is divided into two parts.

Organic Compounds
Inorganic Compound

Organic Compounds

Organic compounds are those compounds in which carbon is present. Such as carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids etc. Examples of organic compounds in our daily life are candles, perfumes, paints etc. The organic compound is usually obtained from a living being (plant or animal). But the organic compound can also be prepared artificially.

Inorganic Compound

Inorganic compounds are those compounds in which carbon is absent like common salt, potassium chloride etc. But there are some compounds which contain carbon but are still called inorganic compounds. These exceptions are carbon dioxide, diamond, graphite, carbide forms such as aluminum carbide(Al₄C₃), carbonate forms such as calcium carbonate(CaCo3), cyanite forms such as sodium cyanide(NaCN) etc. Inorganic compounds are obtained from the crust of earth.

Organic Compounds Vs Inorganic Compound – Chemical Properties of Matter

The following are the main differences between organic compounds and inorganic compounds.

Organic Compounds	Inorganic Compound
The organic compound is obtained from living things (trees and animals).	Inorganic compounds are obtained from non-living things such as minerals found on Earth.
Most organic compounds are colorless.	Most inorganic compounds are colored.
Organic compounds can be found in any state of solids, liquids and gases.	Inorganic compounds are generally found in the solid state.
Organic compounds are formed by covalent bonds.	Inorganic compounds form ionic bonds.
They do not dissolve in water.	They are soluble in water.
Example – DNA, RNA, protein, amino acid etc.	Example – silicon, phosphorous, neon, chlorine etc.

Mixture – Type Chemical properties of Matter

A combination of two or more elements, a compound or an indefinite proportion of both, is called a mixture. For example – Wind, brass, sand, etc. There are mainly two types of mixtures.

Homogeneous Mixture
Heterogeneous Mixture

Homogeneous Mixture

Mixtures which contain two or more components but look alike when viewed are called homogeneous mixtures. Their components are distributed in the same way. A solution of sugar and water is a good example of a homogeneous mixture.

Heterogeneous Mixture

Mixtures that contain two or more components but can usually be seen separately are called heterogeneous mixtures. For example, a mixture of oil and water.

Homogeneous Mixture Vs Heterogeneous Mixture

Following are the main differences between homogeneous mixture and heterogeneous mixture.

Homogeneous Mixture	Heterogeneous Mixture
The ingredients are mixed in fixed ratio.	The ingredients are mixed in rough ratio.
This mixture cannot be divided by physical means.	This mixture can be easily divided by physical means.
Components mixed in this mixture cannot be seen.	The ingredients mixed in this mixture can be easily seen.
For example – a mixture of salt and water, a mixture of stainless-steel, etc.	For example – mixture of sugar and sand, mixture of wheat and barley etc.

Difference between Compound and Mixture – Chemical Properties of Matter

The following are the main differences between compound and mixture.

Compound	Mixture
Compounds are made by combining two or more ingredients in a fixed proportion.	A mixture is made by combining two or more ingredients in indeterminate proportions.
It is prepared by chemical combination.	It is not prepared by chemical combination.
Chemical method is used to separate it.	Physical method is used to separate it.
Energy such as heat, light etc. is exploited or emitted in the formation of a compound.	There is no exploitation or emission of energy like heat, light etc. in the formation of mixture.
The compound has a definite chemical formula.	The mixture has no chemical formula.
For example- water, carbon dioxide etc.	For example- a mixture of rice and pebbles, a solution of water and salt

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