This flow chart classifies matter based on its composition and ability to be separated. It can be summarized as: 1) Matter is either a pure substance that cannot be chemically decomposed, or a mixture that can be separated into parts. 2) Pure substances are either elements made of one type of atom or compounds made of two or more types of atoms bonded together. 3) Mixtures are either homogeneous, meaning uniform throughout, or heterogeneous, where the parts can be easily seen and separated. Common homogeneous mixtures are solutions and alloys.

1. CLASSIFICATION OF MATTER FLOW CHART – “WHAT’S THE MATTER”
NO
YES Can it be chemically decomposed
(broken into parts by breaking bonds)
NO
MATTER
Can the matter be separated by
physical means?
By using a physical property such as size, color,
texture, mass, weight, density, etc.
YES NO
MIXTURE PURE SUBSTANCE
Is the mixture uniform?
(the same throughout)
YES
HOMOGENEOUS
MIXTURE
HETEROGENEOUS
MIXTURE
COMPOUND
Atoms of 2 or more
elements bonded together
ELEMENT
Atoms of only
1 element
A SOLUTION is a type of
homogeneous mixture.
One or more substances
dissolved in another.
SOLVENT – does the dissolving
SOLUTES – get dissolved
ALLOY – one or more solids
dissolved in another solid
The different parts of a
HETEROGENEOUS MIXTURE
can be easily seen and picked
out.
Examples: Trail mix, chocolate
chip cookies, raisin bran cereal
HETERO means DIFFERENT
Atoms of 2 or more
different elements
bonded together.
Examples:
H2O H2SO4 NaCl
Atoms of only 1 element
(may be 2 or more atoms
of the same element
bonded together.
Examples:
H2 O2 Cl2 Fe C O3
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