Elements, Compounds and Mixtures

Course Description

Elements, Compounds and Mixtures is the sixth and last course of the General science series. General Science is an interdisciplinary major that gives you a grand tour of the sciences. You study biology, chemistry, computer science, physics, and/or psychology and mathematics.

This course focuses on elements, atoms, compounds and mixtures. It aims at helping the learner understand the basic chemistry behind atoms, mass and substances. It is subdivided into two units: Elements, Compounds & Air, Burning and Rusting

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Elements, Compounds and Mixtures

a) understand the meaning of elements, compounds and mixtures.
b) compare between metals and non-metals using laboratory tests.
c) demonstrate how the purity of a substance can be determined.
d) demonstrate methods by which mixtures can be separated.
e) compare mixtures and pure substances; mixtures and compound.
f) compare miscible and immiscible liquids.
g) apply methods by which miscible and immiscible liquids can be separated.

2. Air, Burning and Rusting 

a) know the components of air, their proportions and uses.
b) show how air is a mixture and not a compound.
c) understand the methods of separation of the major components in air.
d) determine the percentage of oxygen in air.
e) demonstrate the properties of oxygen and carbon dioxide based on their reactions.
f) know the uses of oxygen and carbon dioxide both in nature and industry.
g) demonstrate how substances such as magnesium, sulphur and carbon undergo combustion.
h) understand the meaning of rusting, how it affects iron materials/tools and the various methods of preventing it.
i) understand the term air pollution, and identify the main examples of air pollutants.
j) analyse the effects of air pollution and the steps needed to prevent, control or mitigate air pollution.

Key Words

Elements, Compounds and Mixtures
 compound
 mixture
 miscible liquids
 immiscible liquids
 decanting
 distillation
 pure substance

Air, Burning and Rusting

• air
• combustion
• air pollution
• exhaust gases
• greenhouse effect
• global warming
• rusting