
Of the four options, ink is the only mixture. Ink is typically composed of various pigments or dyes suspended in a liquid medium, and these components can be separated using techniques like chromatography. In contrast, alcohol is usually ethanol (C2H5OH), water is H2O, and mercury is Hg—all pure substances with uniform compositions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mixture | Ink |
| Pure substances | Water, Alcohol, Mercury |
| Method to determine if a substance is a mixture | Paper Chromatography |
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What You'll Learn

Ink is a mixture of pigments and dyes
Out of the given examples, ink is a mixture. It is composed of a pigment or dye dissolved or dispersed in a liquid called the vehicle. Paper chromatography can be used to separate the components of ink, confirming its status as a mixture.
Ink is a gel, sol, or solution that contains at least one colorant, such as a dye or pigment, and is used to colour a surface to produce an image, text, or design. The pigments in ink are solid, opaque particles that provide colour. They typically link together in crystalline structures that are 0.1-2 μm in size and comprise 5-30% of the ink volume. Dye-based inks are generally stronger than pigment-based inks and can produce more colour per unit of mass. However, because dyes are dissolved in the liquid phase, they tend to soak into paper, potentially causing the ink to bleed. Dye inks are also more vibrant and produce vivid and sharp colours.
Pigment inks, on the other hand, are made up of tiny solid pigment particles suspended in a liquid carrier. They are known for their exceptional lightfastness and durability. While pigment inks are more expensive, they offer superior print longevity and fade resistance. They are also more suitable for printing on plain paper, matte paper, and specialty fine art papers.
The choice between dye and pigment inks depends on the specific printing needs. For photo printing, dye ink is often preferred due to its vibrant colours and fast printing speed. In contrast, pigment ink is ideal for document printing and art and design printing because of its fade resistance, sharp image quality, and archival quality.
Ink has a long history, dating back to ancient Egypt and China around 2500 BC. Traditional inks were made from various ingredients such as lampblack, glue, gums, and water. Over time, different types of ink were developed, including India ink, cephalopod ink, and the printing ink invented by Johannes Gutenberg for the printing press. Ink formulas can vary, but they often involve a combination of pigments and dyes, along with other additives, to achieve the desired colour, flow, thickness, and dry appearance.
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Pure alcohol is a compound, not a mixture
Pure alcohol, also known as ethanol, is a compound and not a mixture. It has a uniform chemical composition and properties. It is a liquid at room temperature and typical atmospheric pressure. It is composed of C2H5OH molecules.
When we think about molecules, we can distinguish a pure material from a mixture. Pure materials contain only one type of molecule. On the other hand, mixtures are formed by combining two or more distinct types of molecules. For example, orange soda is a mixture because it contains a variety of different ingredients like water, sugar, carbon dioxide, artificial flavors, and colorings. Each of these components retains its individual properties and does not chemically bond to form a new substance.
Similarly, ink is a mixture. It typically contains various pigments or dyes suspended in a liquid medium. These different components can be separated using techniques such as chromatography, which demonstrates its mixture nature.
Water is also a pure substance, composed of H2O molecules. It has a consistent chemical composition with distinct properties. Mercury is a chemical element, which means it is also a pure substance without any mixtures involved.
Therefore, out of the given examples, only ink and orange soda are mixtures, while alcohol, water, and mercury are pure substances.
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Water is H2O, a pure substance
Water (H2O) is a pure substance, not a mixture. It is composed of H2O molecules and does not consist of different components mixed together. Water has a consistent chemical composition with distinct properties.
On the other hand, a mixture is a combination of two or more substances that do not chemically bond and maintain their own chemical identities. For example, orange soda is a mixture because it contains a variety of different ingredients such as water, sugar, carbon dioxide, artificial flavors, and colorings. Each of these components retains its individual properties without chemically bonding to form a new substance.
Another example of a mixture is ink. Ink typically contains various pigments or dyes suspended in a liquid medium. These different components can be separated using techniques such as chromatography, which demonstrates its mixture nature. When tested with paper chromatography, ink separates into its constituent pure substances, confirming that it is a mixture.
Distilled water, on the other hand, is a type of water that has been purified through a process of distillation to remove any impurities or minerals. It is often consumed in areas where the water is contaminated or has an unpleasant taste due to dissolved minerals. While distilled water is still H2O, it has been processed to be purer and free from any mixtures or contaminants.
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Mercury is a chemical element
Mercury (Hg) is a chemical element that exists as a heavy, silvery liquid at standard temperature and pressure. It is a member of the d-block elements and is the only metallic element that is liquid under these conditions, apart from the halogen bromine. Mercury carries the atomic number 80 and has seven stable isotopes, with 202 Hg being the most abundant, at 29.86%.
Mercury has been known and used by humans for millennia, with evidence of its use dating back to 1500 BC in Egyptian tombs. In medieval alchemy, mercury was one of the seven known metals, associated with the planet Mercury, named after the Roman god of speed and mobility. The metal's modern chemical symbol, Hg, is derived from the ancient Greek word for mercury, 'hydrargyros', meaning 'water-silver'.
Mercury is toxic to humans and animals, particularly in its organic compound forms, such as dimethylmercury and methylmercury. Exposure to mercury vapour is the primary hazard of elemental mercury, and it can cause both chronic and acute poisoning. Despite its toxicity, mercury has been used in various industrial and commercial applications, including the manufacture of industrial chemicals, electrical and electronic applications, batteries, fluorescent lights, and dental fillings.
Due to its toxicity, many of mercury's traditional uses are being phased out or replaced. However, it is still utilised in the chemical industry as a catalyst and in some electrical switches and rectifiers. Mercury also easily forms alloys, called amalgams, with other metals such as gold, silver, and tin.
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Mixtures can be homogeneous or heterogeneous
A mixture is a combination of two or more substances that do not chemically bond but are physically combined, meaning that each substance retains its own properties and identity. For example, ink is a mixture of various pigments or dyes suspended in a liquid medium.
A heterogeneous mixture, on the other hand, has a non-uniform composition, with distinct regions containing more or less of one component. Heterogeneous mixtures may have clumps" of just one substance in certain portions. Substances in a heterogeneous mixture can exist in different states of matter. Examples include ice cubes in a drink, sand and water, and salt and oil.
It's important to note that the distinction between homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures is not always clear-cut, and a change in conditions can alter a mixture. For instance, an unopened bottle of soda is a homogeneous mixture, but once it's opened, it becomes heterogeneous as gas bubbles form.
Furthermore, a homogeneous mixture can be a component of a heterogeneous mixture. For example, bitumen is a homogeneous mixture within the heterogeneous mixture of asphalt. Similarly, saltwater is usually homogeneous, but it can become heterogeneous if pieces of particulate matter are present, as is often the case with seawater.
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Frequently asked questions
Ink is a mixture. It contains various pigments or dyes suspended in a liquid medium. These components can be separated using techniques like chromatography.
A mixture is a combination of two or more substances that do not chemically bond. Each substance in a mixture retains its own properties and identities.
Mixtures include orange soda, spaghetti sauce, alphabet soup, and ink.
Chromatography is a method used to separate the components of a mixture. Paper chromatography, for example, separates substances in ascending order, with the solvent at the lower position moving by capillary action.
Pure substances include water (H2O), alcohol (ethanol), and mercury. These substances have a uniform composition and distinct properties.











































