Examples of Compounds & Mixtures

In this activity, students will create a chart that identifies different examples of elements, compounds, and mixtures. Alternatively, give your students a list of examples and have them place the substance in the correct category.

Elements are substances made of only one type of atom. Examples of elements are gold, helium and iron. Note that they are only considered elements if they are pure. A 24kt gold ring would said to be made of an element as all the atoms that make up the ring are gold atoms. A 12kt ring is made of a different types of atoms so it is said to be a mixture.

Compounds are substances made of two or more types of atoms chemically bonded together. These chemical bonds make compounds difficult to break up. Compounds are represented by a chemical formula. The chemical formula lets you know what type of atoms make the substance and what ratios those atoms are found in. For example, carbon dioxide has a chemical formula of CO₂, this means the compound is made of carbon and oxygen atoms at a ratio of 1 carbon to 2 oxygen. Other examples of compounds include pure water (H₂O), table salt (NaCl), and Methane (CH₄).

Mixtures are substances that are made of two or more types of element or compound that are not chemically bonded together. They are more easily separated than compounds. Mixtures can be a solid, liquid or a gas. Examples of mixtures are sea water, air, and dirt. Unlike compounds, which are formed with fixed ratios of elements, mixtures can be made up with varying ratios of elements or compounds.