Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. Because there are so many types of matter, it is helpful to use a classification system to categorize the types of matter. The following diagram represents a common type of classification system used for matter.
| MATTER
takes up space and has mass |
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| PURE SUBSTANCE
matter with definite composition |
MIXTURE matter with indefinite composition |
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| ELEMENT one kind of atom |
COMPOUND two or more kinds of atoms chemically combined | HOMOGENEOUS well mixed - the best mixed is found in solution | HETEROGENEOUS unevenly mixed; individual particles can be seen |
