Concept · 4 steps · NESA SC4-PRT-01

Classifying Matter: Elements, Compounds & Mixtures

The one fork that sorts every substance in the universe into a box — from why copper, water and air are three different kinds of thing, all the way to reasoning backwards from "can I separate it without chemistry?" Four short steps, each with its own toy to play with.

1 Where it comes fromAll matter sorts two ways: pure substances (elements and compounds) versus mixtures. Drag particle pictures into the right bin. 2 How to do itTwo questions classify any diagram or formula. Build O₂, build H₂O, build a mixture, and let the classifier name it. 3 Where it gets trickyAn element can be a molecule, a compound is nothing like a mixture, and bonded elements lose their properties. 4 Out in the wildAlloys, air, sea water and fizzy drinks — and reasoning backwards from whether you can separate it by hand.

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