All matter is made up of tiny particles called atoms. Matter can be classified into pure substances and mixtures. Pure substances can be classified into compounds and elements. Compounds are pure substances because they are made up of elements that are chemically combined in a specific ratio (they have a fixed composition). They can be separated using both physical and chemical means. Elements are also pure. They are made up of only one kind of an element, and cannot be separated at all. They can be a single atom or a combination of the same atom, known as molecules. An example of a compound is water. An example of an element is gold.
Elements and compounds differ from mixtures. Mixtures do not have fixed compositions, their components keep their original properties when they combine, and they can be separated physically.
There are a few types of mixtures. The main categories are homogenous mixtures and heterogeneous mixtures. Homogenous mixtures are mixtures that have substance dissolved in them. They are uniform in nature. An example would be kool-aid. Heterogenous mixtures are mixtures which is made up of more than one pure substances and is not uniformly spread throughout. An example is a salad or a chocolate chip cookie.
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