By combining alcohol and water, a homogeneous mixture is obtained that can be used as a disinfectant.
The notion of mixture can be used to refer to the addition of various bodies and substances that do not develop a chemical interaction with each other. Depending on their characteristics, mixtures can be classified differently.
Homogeneous , meanwhile, is a term that comes from the Low Latin homogeneus , in turn derived from the Greek homogenḗs . This adjective allows us to describe something that has a uniform disposition and constitution or that is linked to something of the same kind.
A homogeneous mixture , in this framework, has components that show uniformity . Therefore, they cannot be distinguished with the naked eye, unlike what happens with the parts or phases of a heterogeneous mixture .
Characteristics of a homogeneous mixture
It can be said, at a colloquial level, that a homogeneous mixture appears to the eyes as a uniform product. It cannot be easily discovered that there are two or more ingredients in its composition.
Typically, the homogeneous mixture is a solution or dissolution : a product that develops when a solid substance is dissolved in a liquid. The substance that is diluted is called solute , while the substance in which it dissolves is called solvent or solvent .
The proportions of the solute and the solvent vary depending on the case. However, the relative proportions are always preserved, regardless of the quantity of the mixture considered. Typically, the solvent appears in a higher proportion than the solute, but there are exceptions.
By dissolving cocoa powder or solid chocolate in milk, a homogeneous mixture is generated.
Some examples
We can find examples of homogeneous mixtures in everyday life. A frequently used homogeneous mixture is that formed by water and alcohol .
This solution is used as a disinfectant . Since the COVID-19 pandemic , it became essential to have a product capable of disinfecting surfaces and hands: for this reason, many people began to dilute 7 parts of alcohol in 3 parts of water , thus obtaining a homogeneous mixture that It can be sprayed easily.
When you put water in a jug, add juice powder and stir, you also get a homogeneous mixture. In the already prepared juice, the particles that were previously in a solid state cannot be distinguished, nor can the colorless, odorless and tasteless water from before the mixture be recognized.
Something similar happens with chocolate milk . By adding cocoa powder to a cup of milk and then stirring, a homogeneous mixture is created. It is not possible, then, to differentiate solid cocoa or white milk.
It is important to mention, however, that milk itself can be considered a homogeneous mixture. In milk there is whey , water , fats and other components that are not easily separated or detected with a glance.
Separation of the components of a homogeneous mixture
There are several separation methods that can be applied to a solution to isolate its components. One of them is distillation , a resource that is frequently used in the production of alcoholic beverages.
Crystallization can also serve to separate the components of a homogeneous mixture. In this case, a crystal (a solid body) is created from the solution.