Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures
7 Minutes
Elements, compounds, and mixtures for kids: learn how pure substances and mixtures differ through a king's court story. An English science lesson.
- How an element is a pure substance made of one type of atom
- How a compound is made of one type of molecule, like salt
- Why a mixture has different molecules and no fixed boiling point
What this lesson teaches
Matter exists in the form of elements, compounds, and mixtures depending on whether it is made of one type of particle or a combination of different particles. Elements and compounds are pure substances with fixed boiling points, whereas mixtures are impure substances formed by blending different molecules together.
Elements and their properties
An element (thanimam) is a pure substance formed entirely by the coming together of only one type of atom without any mixture. For example, a copper tumbler is an element because it contains only copper atoms packed together. Other metals like gold and silver are also elements made of their own individual atoms. Because of its uniform nature, an element has a fixed boiling point at which it boils over.
Compounds and their properties
A compound (sermam) is formed when only one type of molecule comes together without any adulteration. Although made of multiple parts, it is still classified as a pure substance because every molecule in it is identical. Common salt is an example of a compound made up purely of sodium chloride molecules, and water is another example. Just like elements, every compound has its own fixed boiling point.
Mixtures and their properties
A mixture (kalavai) is formed when completely different types of molecules come together, which makes it an impure substance. It is like the edible snack mixture that contains a blend of kara boondi, sev, and cashew nuts. Because it is formed from different molecules rather than identical units, a mixture does not have a fixed boiling point. It can boil at unpredictable temperatures instead of having one set boiling point.
Differences in the royal court story
The lesson compares these three types of matter to three commanders competing to lead a kingdom's military forces. The king appoints the element to lead the mighty elephant army because it consists of one stable, pure kind of atom. The compound is appointed to command the chariot and cavalry forces because its molecules are unadulterated. The mixture is placed in charge of the infantry, archers, and armored troops, where three different types of soldiers are combined together into one force.