Examples Of Homogenous Mixtures

First of all, it is better to understand what a homogenous mixture is! A mixture is called homogenous if it comprises of two or more components which are equally distributed throughout the mixture. The constituents are easily dispersed when passed through a membrane and can be separated only with the help of mechanical methods. It is so because they do not have any chemical bonding between the components. So, then what differentiates a homogenous mixture from a heterogeneous mixture? Well, one main factor is the particle size which is usually the size of atoms or molecules and cannot be seen with the naked eye. Another interesting factor of this mixture is that it exists in a single phase throughout and whichever part of the sample you take, it will give the same results, under defined conditions, throughout. Scroll further and understand more about the different examples of homogenous mixtures.

What Is A Mixture?
A mixture is formed when two or more substances combine without the formation of any chemical bonds between them. Based on this, they may be classified as homogenous and heterogeneous mixtures. The composition of elements in a homogenous mixture is uniform throughout, which is not true for heterogeneous mixtures. Owing to their uniformity, homogenous mixtures can be separated into their constituent elements with the help of mechanical and chemical separation methods only, such as, distillation, evaporation, etc. After separation, the individual properties of the substances retain as such.

Properties Of Mixture

Examples Of Homogenous Mixtures
Blood Plasma
The best example of a homogenous mixture is present in your body; blood plasma. It is a pale, transparent, yellowish clear fluid which has a uniform composition throughout your body. Blood plasma accounts for about 55-60% of the blood which is slightly alkaline in nature and comprises inter-cellular matrix.

Mineral Ores
Another example of the homogenous mixture is mineral ores. Mineral ores are basically rocks that contain different minerals in different proportions. These minerals can be separated by certain mechanical means. Consider, for example, iron ore. It contains iron in its various forms such as magnetite, limonite or siderite, hematite and goethite. These homogenous rock mixtures are used during the process of extraction of metallic iron.

Air
The inclusion of air as a homogenous mixture has always been under question. Considering the fact that our atmosphere is comprised of various layers of gas which have different densities, we have the reasoning right. Air is a homogenous mixture of many gases which are distributed throughout and can be separated from the mixture using various chemical techniques.

Man Made Examples Of Homogenous Mixtures

Brine And Sugar Solutions
This is considered as an example of homogenous mixtures as the elements in the mixture can be separated by the process of evaporation.

Vinegar
Chemically speaking, vinegar is an aqueous mixture that contains 4 to 8% of acetic acid mixed with water. This homogenous mixture finds use in almost every household, either for cleaning or culinary purposes.

Gun Powder
This homogenous mixture consists of charcoal, sulfur and potassium nitrate and is an integral ingredient used in explosives. The elements of this mixture can be easily separated using certain chemical processes.

Metal Alloys
An alloy is formed when two or more pure metals or non-metals are combined to form a solid composition. Such alloys generally exhibit better thermal conductivity, reactivity, shear strength and tensile strength as compared to their original constituents. Example: steel is an alloy of carbon and iron; bronze, an alloy of tin and copper; brass, an alloy of copper and zinc; all these alloys are more durable than the individual metals used for making them.

Other Examples Of Homogenous Mixtures
Corn oil, vinegar dissolved in water, a sugar solution with water at equilibrium, beer, steel, bronze, brass, salt water, the hydrocarbons in gasoline, soapy water, any gases at equilibrium in a closed space, alcohol & water, extracts of coffee beans, extracts of tea leaves, etc are examples of the many manmade homogenous mixtures that we come across in our day-to-day life.

Now that you know the properties and examples of homogenous mixtures, you can understand their properties and characteristics better.