Pure Substances & Formulations — GCSE Chemistry Revision
Revise Pure Substances & Formulations for GCSE Chemistry. Step-by-step explanation, worked examples, common mistakes and exam-style practice aligned to AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, Eduqas, CCEA, Cambridge International (CIE), SQA, IB, AP.
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Go to ChromatographyWhat is Pure Substances & Formulations?
A pure substance consists of only one element or one compound. It has a sharp, specific melting and boiling point. A formulation is a complex mixture that has been designed as a useful product, where each component has a particular purpose and is present in a carefully measured quantity.
Board notes: This topic is about the application of chemistry in everyday products and is covered by all exam boards. You need to be able to distinguish between pure substances and mixtures and understand the concept of a formulation.
Step-by-step explanationWorked example
Pure water (H₂O) is a pure substance and has a fixed boiling point of 100°C. In contrast, paint is a formulation. It is a mixture of a pigment (to provide colour), a binder (to form a film), and a solvent (to dissolve the other components and control viscosity).
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Common mistakes
- 1Confusing a pure substance with a mixture. A pure substance has a fixed composition and properties, while a mixture does not.
- 2Thinking that 'pure' in everyday language (like 'pure orange juice') means the same as the scientific definition. Pure orange juice is a mixture of water, sugar, acids, and other substances.
- 3Forgetting that formulations are mixtures, not compounds. The different components are not chemically bonded together.
Pure Substances & Formulations exam questions
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Step-by-step method
Step-by-step explanation
4 steps · Worked method for Pure Substances & Formulations
Core concept
A pure substance consists of only one element or one compound. It has a sharp, specific melting and boiling point. A formulation is a complex mixture that has been designed as a useful product, where …
Frequently asked questions
How can you test if a substance is pure?
A pure substance will melt and boil at a specific, fixed temperature. Impurities will lower the melting point and raise the boiling point, and cause the change of state to occur over a range of temperatures.
Give some examples of formulations.
Examples of formulations include fuels, cleaning agents, paints, medicines, alloys, and fertilisers. They are all carefully designed mixtures.