Pure Substances (AQA GCSE Chemistry: Combined Science)

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Pure substances

  • In everyday language, we use the word pure to describe when something is natural or clean and to which nothing else has been added
  • In chemistry, a pure substance may consist of a single element or compound which contains no other substances
  • For example, pure water contains only H2O molecules and nothing else
  • Drinking water would not be classed as a pure substance because it contains H2O molecules and additional substances like dissolved ions and chlorine

Pure v Impure Water 

Pure V Impure

Pure water will consist of only H2O molecules, whereas tap water has additional substances so is not chemically pure

How can purity be distinguished?

  • Pure substances melt and boil at specific and sharp temperatures
    • E.g. pure water has a boiling point of 100 °C and a melting point of 0 °C
  • Impure substances have a range of melting and boiling points as they consist of different substances 
  • Generally, impure substances have lower melting points and higher boiling points than the pure substance 
  • Melting and boiling point data can therefore be used to distinguish pure substances from mixtures
  • Melting point analysis is routinely used to assess the purity of drugs
  • This is done using a melting point apparatus which allows you to slowly heat a small amount of the sample, making it easier to observe the exact melting point
  • This is then compared to data tables
  • The closer the measured value is to the actual melting or boiling point then the purer the sample is
  • Measuring purity is also important in foodstuffs

Worked example

Sulfur has a melting point of 114 oC.

A student tests the melting point of a sample of sulfur. It begins to melt at 100 oC and finishes melting at 113 oC. 

Explain whether the substance is pure or impure. 

Answer:

  • The substance is impure because its melts over a range of temperatures.

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Stewart

Author: Stewart

Expertise: Chemistry Lead

Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Exam Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.