A homogeneous system has only one phase.
Homogeneous is that which belongs to or is related to the same gender . The term comes from the Latin homogenĕus , although its most remote origin takes us to the Greek language.
The adjective refers to that which has equal characters . A mixture or a homogeneous substance, therefore, exhibits uniform composition and structure . For example: “By dissolving a little salt in a jar with water, we obtain a homogeneous mixture through the dissolution of the first” , “This substance is homogeneous: I cannot distinguish any component with the naked eye” .
A homogeneous system
The homogeneous system is made up of a single phase . This means that, from the point of view of chemistry , it exhibits intensive properties of the same value at all its points. The first step to check if a mixture is homogeneous is visualization: if it is not possible to distinguish different phases or components, the mixture meets homogeneity.
There are different classifications of homogeneous systems according to their characteristics, such as pure substances (formed by a single component) or solutions (a single visible phase appears, despite the fact that the system is made up of at least one solvent and one solvent).
However, we must not overlook the existence of another series of homogeneous systems, such as open ones. As their name indicates, they are those systems that have the particularity that they fully allow the exchange of matter and energy with what would be the environment.
Secondly, there are those who call themselves closed. In this case, they are those that do exchange energy with the environment in which they are found but do not do the same with matter.
Likewise and lastly, we would have to highlight the existence of what are known as isolated systems. They are identified because no type of exchange took place in them.
A homogeneous group is one whose members have similar characteristics.
A kind of balance
In addition to all of the above, we would have to determine that also at a scientific level there is what is known as homogeneous equilibrium. It is a term that is used to refer to all those reactions that take place when each and every one of the elements involved in them are in what would be the same phase, that is, in the same chemical states.
Precisely a clear example of homogeneous equilibrium is what is called catalytic methanation.
In contrast to that is the so-called heterogeneous equilibrium, which is the reaction that occurs when products and all types of reactants that intervene in it are not in the same phase. In this case we could say that gases, liquids or even solids take center stage within it.
The homogeneous in a group
The notion of homogeneity can also be used to name a set made up of equal elements . If we say that “the young people in this neighborhood have homogeneous clothing,” the phrase refers to a uniformity when it comes to dressing by the young people of a certain community.
The opposite of homogeneity is heterogeneity , linked to the variety of elements.