Without looking at formulas, how can you distinguish compounds from solutions?
In other words, if I was given a glass of water and some stainless steel, how can I know that water is a compound and stainless steel is a solution. What are characteristics aside from chemical formulas that are useful when differentiating between compounds and solutions?
In other words, if I was given a glass of water and some stainless steel, how can I know that water is a compound and stainless steel is a solution. What are characteristics aside from chemical formulas that are useful when differentiating between compounds and solutions?
1 Answer
A solution in chemistry by definition, is a mixture of two or more compounds or elements.
by definition steel is an alloy, so it is a mix of chromium, iron, tungsten and so on. but there is no chemical bond.
A compound is a chemically unique combination of two or more elements which are bonded to each other by chemical bonds.
in this case water is one compound
for example all compounds are molecules but not all molecules are compound for example Molecular Oxygen
There is no certain way to distinguish complicated matters, but the more experience and knowledge you gain in the field of chemistry heavily improve your skills and resources.