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IGCSEChemistryCambridge (CIE)Revision Notes2. Atoms, Elements & CompoundsAtomic Structure & the Periodic TableElements, Compounds & Mixtures

Elements, Compounds & Mixtures (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Chemistry)

Revision Note

Caroline Carroll

Written by: Caroline Carroll

Reviewed by: Stewart Hird

Elements, compounds & mixtures

  • All substances can be classified into one of these three types

    • Elements

    • Compounds

    • Mixtures

What is an element?

  • A substance made of atoms that all contain the same number of protons and cannot be split into anything simpler

  • There are 118 elements found in the Periodic Table

What is a compound?

  • A pure substance made up of two or more elements chemically combined

  • There is an unlimited number of compounds

  • Compounds cannot be separated into their elements by physical means

  • E.g. copper(II) sulfate (CuSO4), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), carbon dioxide (CO2)

What is a mixture?

  • A combination of two or more substances (elements and/or compounds) that are not chemically combined

  • Mixtures can be separated by physical methods such as filtration or evaporation

  • E.g. sand and water, oil and water, sulfur powder and iron filings 

A diagram to show the difference between elements, compounds and mixtures

Particle diagram showing elements, compounds and mixtures 

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    Author
    Reviewer
    Caroline Carroll

    Author: Caroline Carroll

    Expertise: Physics Subject Lead

    Caroline graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in Chemistry and Molecular Physics. She spent several years working as an Industrial Chemist in the automotive industry before retraining to teach. Caroline has over 12 years of experience teaching GCSE and A-level chemistry and physics. She is passionate about creating high-quality resources to help students achieve their full potential.

    Stewart Hird

    Author: Stewart Hird

    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 Topic Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.