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Quizzes > Science

Classification of Matter Practice: Elements, Compounds and Mixtures

Quick, free quiz on elements, compounds, and mixtures. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Leah KingUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper cutout style molecules atoms flask icons for classification of matter quiz on dark blue background

Use this quiz to practice classifying matter as elements, compounds, or mixtures, and to tell pure substances from mixtures. For a quick review, see the mixtures and pure substances quiz, try the heterogeneous vs homogeneous quiz, or check basics with the elements and compounds quiz.

Which of the following is a pure chemical element?
Sodium chloride
Carbon dioxide
Water
Oxygen
An element is a substance made of only one type of atom and cannot be broken down by chemical means. Oxygen consists solely of oxygen atoms and is therefore a pure element. Compounds like water and sodium chloride consist of different elements chemically bonded. .
What defines a compound?
A physical blend of two or more substances
A mixture of different substances not chemically bonded
A substance made of two or more elements chemically bonded together
An element in its purest form
A compound is a pure substance composed of two or more elements chemically combined in fixed proportions. These bonds create new properties that differ from the constituent elements. Physical mixtures retain the properties of each component. .
Which of the following is a homogeneous mixture?
Salt dissolved in water
Oil and water
Granite
Sand in water
A homogeneous mixture has a uniform composition throughout. When salt dissolves in water, it disperses evenly at the molecular level. Suspensions like sand in water are heterogeneous since particles settle. .
What is the term for a mixture in which the components are not uniformly distributed?
Homogeneous
Solution
Compound
Heterogeneous
Heterogeneous mixtures have components that remain physically distinct and unevenly distributed. Salad dressings and mixtures of oil and water are common examples. Homogeneous mixtures, by contrast, are uniform throughout. .
Which of these best describes a pure substance?
A mixture of two or more substances
A solute dissolved in a solvent
A variable composition material
A substance with a fixed composition and distinct properties
A pure substance has a constant composition and consistent properties throughout. Compounds and elements are both pure substances. Mixtures by definition have variable compositions. .
Which of the following is an example of a heterogeneous mixture?
Salad dressing with oil and vinegar
Air
Vinegar
Stainless steel
Salad dressing made with oil and vinegar has visible layers and varying composition in different parts. This uneven distribution classifies it as a heterogeneous mixture. Vinegar alone is a homogeneous solution of acetic acid in water. .
Which technique would you use to separate a suspension of sand and water?
Distillation
Chromatography
Filtration
Crystallization
Filtration separates solids from liquids by passing the mixture through a porous barrier. Sand is retained on the filter while water passes through. Distillation is used for separating components with different boiling points. .
In a solution, the substance that is dissolved is called the:
Solvent
Colloid
Solute
Compound
The solute is the substance that dissolves into the solvent to form a solution. The solvent is the medium in which the solute disperses. Together they form a homogeneous mixture. .
What type of matter is table salt (NaCl)?
Homogeneous mixture
Element
Heterogeneous mixture
Compound
Table salt, NaCl, is formed by ionic bonds between sodium and chlorine atoms in a fixed ratio. This makes it a compound rather than a mixture or element. Compounds have unique properties different from their constituent elements. .
Air is best classified as:
Heterogeneous mixture
Homogeneous mixture
Element
Compound
Air is a uniform blend of gases like nitrogen, oxygen, and others, making it a homogeneous mixture. Its composition is consistent throughout under normal conditions. It is not chemically bonded into a compound. .
Which method separates dissolved solids from liquids via boiling and condensation?
Distillation
Decantation
Filtration
Centrifugation
Distillation uses differences in boiling points to vaporize and then condense components separately. It is ideal for separating liquid solutions into pure components. Filtration cannot separate dissolved solids. .
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. It is classified as:
Colloid
Suspension
Compound
Homogeneous mixture
Brass is a solid solution where copper and zinc atoms substitute uniformly, making it a homogeneous mixture. Alloys like brass retain metallic bonding but are not chemically combined into a compound. Properties are uniform throughout. .
Which of the following is not a mixture?
Sugar (sucrose)
Bronze
Sea water
Air
Sugar (sucrose) is a pure chemical compound of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen with a fixed formula. It is not a mixture of different substances. All other options are mixtures of multiple components. .
What type of mixture is mayonnaise?
Suspension
True solution
Pure substance
Colloid
Mayonnaise is an oil-in-water emulsion where tiny droplets of oil are dispersed in water, making it a colloid. The dispersed droplets are too small to settle but large enough to scatter light. It is not a true solution or suspension. .
How many elements are present in the compound Fe2O3?
4
5
3
2
Fe2O3 contains two types of elements: iron (Fe) and oxygen (O). Compounds are named by listing each element present, regardless of how many atoms. The subscript numbers indicate quantity but do not increase the element count. .
Which of the following statements about mixtures is correct?
Mixtures have a fixed boiling point
Components of mixtures can be separated by physical means
Mixtures are always homogeneous
Mixtures have a definite composition
Mixtures can be separated into their components by physical methods such as filtration, distillation, or chromatography. They do not require chemical reactions for separation. Mixtures also have variable compositions and may be homogeneous or heterogeneous. .
CaCO3 is classified as:
Element
Homogeneous mixture
Compound
Heterogeneous mixture
Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is comprised of calcium, carbon, and oxygen atoms chemically bonded in a fixed ratio, making it a compound. It has distinct properties from its constituent elements. It is not a mixture. .
How many total atoms are in one formula unit of Ca3(PO4)2?
9
10
7
13
Ca3(PO4)2 contains 3 calcium, 2 phosphorus, and 8 oxygen atoms (2×4), for a total of 13 atoms. Counting each atom in the formula unit gives the sum. This calculation is essential in stoichiometry. .
Which separation technique would you use to separate colored dyes in ink?
Filtration
Crystallization
Paper chromatography
Distillation
Paper chromatography separates components based on their relative affinities to the mobile and stationary phases. Colored dyes travel different distances up the paper, forming distinct bands. This method works well for polar and nonpolar compounds. .
Which of the following is an amorphous solid often classified as a supercooled liquid?
Ice
Diamond
Quartz
Glass
Glass lacks a long-range crystalline order and behaves like a supercooled liquid at room temperature. Its molecular structure is disordered, unlike quartz or diamond. This amorphous nature distinguishes it from true crystalline solids. .
A solution that contains the maximum amount of solute at a given temperature is called:
Unsaturated
Supersaturated
Saturated
Dilute
A saturated solution holds the maximum solute that can dissolve at that temperature. Additional solute will not dissolve unless conditions change. Unsaturated and supersaturated solutions contain less or more than the equilibrium amount respectively. .
Which of the following materials is considered an interstitial alloy?
Steel
Brass
Bronze
Platinum jewelry
In interstitial alloys, small atoms occupy spaces (interstices) between larger metal atoms. Steel is iron with carbon atoms in interstitial positions, strengthening the metal. Brass and bronze are substitutional alloys where atoms replace each other. .
Which phenomenon distinguishes colloids from true solutions?
Brownian motion observable under microscope
Crystallization
Tyndall effect
Osmosis
The Tyndall effect is light scattering by particles in a colloid, making the beam visible. True solutions have particles too small to scatter light significantly. Observing this effect confirms a mixture is colloidal. .
At the molecular level, why are solutions considered homogeneous?
Solute particles are uniformly distributed among solvent molecules
Solvent molecules form ionic bonds with solute particles creating discrete layers
Components maintain individual properties separated by phase boundaries
The solute particles are large enough to scatter light
In a homogeneous solution, solute particles are evenly dispersed at the molecular scale within the solvent. This uniform distribution results in consistent properties throughout. No distinct layers or phase boundaries exist. .
In fractional distillation, separation of components is based on differences in:
Density
Particle size
Magnetic properties
Boiling points
Fractional distillation separates liquid mixtures by exploiting differences in boiling points. Components vaporize at different temperatures and condense separately in a fractionating column. This method is critical in refining crude oil. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand fundamental categories of matter -

    Describe and differentiate elements, compounds, and mixtures, ensuring clarity before tackling classification of matter quiz items.

  2. Classify substances effectively -

    Apply clear criteria to identify elements, compounds, and mixtures in both practice scenarios and real-world examples.

  3. Differentiate mixture types -

    Distinguish between homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures to answer classifying matter quiz questions accurately.

  4. Apply worksheet solutions -

    Use classification of matter worksheet with answers to verify your reasoning and reinforce correct classification techniques.

  5. Analyze compound composition -

    Break down chemical formulas to determine the elemental composition of compounds featured in classification of matter practice problems.

  6. Evaluate quiz performance -

    Review and interpret your classification of matter quiz results to identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.

Cheat Sheet

  1. States of Matter -

    Matter primarily exists as solids, liquids, or gases, with plasma at very high energies. Use the mnemonic "Silly Lions Growl, Please" to remember Solid, Liquid, Gas, Plasma. According to IUPAC guidelines, understanding phase changes is crucial for acing a classification of matter quiz.

  2. Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures -

    An element is a pure substance of one type of atom, a compound has two or more elements bonded chemically (e.g., H2O), and a mixture contains physically combined substances. The American Chemical Society highlights that compounds have fixed ratios while mixtures vary in composition. Reviewing this distinction will help you answer classifying matter worksheet answers accurately.

  3. Pure Substances vs. Mixtures -

    Pure substances have a constant composition and distinct properties (like distilled water), whereas mixtures can be separated by physical means. A helpful phrase is "Pure Is Sure, Mix Is Fixable" to recall that mixtures can be undone. Studies from Khan Academy emphasize that this concept is a staple of every classification of matter practice exercise.

  4. Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Mixtures -

    Homogeneous mixtures have uniform composition throughout (e.g., saltwater), while heterogeneous mixtures show distinct phases (e.g., sandy water). The mnemonic "Same Inside vs. Spots Outside" helps distinguish uniformity. University chemistry courses note these categories appear frequently on classifying matter quizzes.

  5. Separation Techniques -

    Common methods include filtration, distillation, chromatography, and recrystallization for isolating mixture components. Use "Fast Dogs Chase Rabbits" as a memory aid for Filtration, Distillation, Chromatography, Recrystallization. MIT's OpenCourseWare reports that knowing these techniques with examples like fractional distillation of crude oil is often tested on classification of matter worksheet with answers.

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