Homogeneous: definition in chemistry
Homogeneous: Uniform throughout — every sample has the same composition and appearance, as in salt water or air.
In a homogeneous mixture the components are mixed down to the level of individual molecules or ions, so you cannot see separate parts even under a microscope. Homogeneous mixtures are also called solutions, and they can be gases (air), liquids (vinegar) or solids (brass). Pure substances are homogeneous too, but the word is most often used to describe mixtures.
Examples
- Salt water — salt dissolved evenly in water
- Air — a uniform mix of gases
- Vinegar — acetic acid dissolved in water
- Brass — copper and zinc mixed evenly in a solid
On the periodic table
Metals with similar atom sizes, such as neighbors copper and nickel or group-mates gold and silver, can mix evenly in any proportion to form homogeneous alloys.