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Homogeneous vs heterogeneous: Difference between revisions

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<onlyinclude>In most technical applications '''homogeneous''' means that the properties of a system are the uniform throughout the entire system; '''heterogeneous''' (also '''inhomogeneous''') means that the properties change within the system.<ref>A Dictionary of Chemistry (7 ed) by Richard Rennie, published 2016.</ref> Any system with two [[phase change|phase]]s like [[ice]] and [[water]] are said to be heterogeneous.</onlyinclude>  
<onlyinclude>In most technical applications '''homogeneous''' means that the properties of a system are the uniform throughout the entire system; '''heterogeneous''' (also '''inhomogeneous''') means that the properties change within the system.<ref>A Dictionary of Chemistry (7 ed) by Richard Rennie, published 2016.</ref> Any system with two [[phase change|phase]]s like [[ice]] and [[water]] are said to be heterogeneous.</onlyinclude>  


For example, homogeneous systems have the same composition, [[density]] and [[pressure]] throughout. While a homogeneous system will often has more than one component (like salt and water), the mixture will be uniform throughout the sample. For a heterogeneous system there's clumping of salt in the salt water, or parts of the water that are saltier than others. The figures 1 and 2 below show heterogeneous and homogeneous systems.
For example, homogeneous systems have the same composition, [[density]] and [[pressure]] throughout. A homogeneous system will often have more than one component (like salt and water), but the mixture will be ''uniform throughout the sample''.


<gallery caption="Heterogeneous and Homogeneous gas particles" mode=packed heights=250px>
For a heterogeneous system there may be clumping of salt in the salt water, or parts of the water that are saltier than others. Figures 1 and 2 below show how heterogeneous and homogeneous systems differ.
File:heterogeneous.PNG|Figure 1. A heterogeneous mixture of molecules in a [[gas]] because the density (and pressure) is different throughout.<ref name = imageref>Image made by a member of the energy education team by using the PhET resource found here: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/gas-properties, Accessed July 14th, 2017.</ref>
 
File:homogeneous.PNG|Figure 2. A homogeneous mixture of molecules in a [[gas]] because the density (and pressure) is uniform throughout.<ref name = imageref/>
<gallery mode="packed" heights="250px" caption="Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Gas Particles">
File:heterogeneous.PNG|Figure 1. A heterogeneous mixture of molecules in a [[gas]]. Note that: the density (and pressure) is different throughout.<ref name="imageref">Image made by a member of the energy education team by using the PhET resource found here: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/gas-properties, Accessed July 14th, 2017.</ref>
File:homogeneous.PNG|Figure 2. A homogeneous mixture of molecules in a [[gas]]. Here, the density (and pressure) is uniform throughout.<ref name="imageref" />
</gallery>
</gallery>


These terms are also important for catalysis, for information on homogeneous vs. heterogeneous catalysis please see [http://www.chemguide.co.uk/physical/catalysis/introduction.html here].
These terms are also important for catalysis. For information on homogeneous vs. heterogeneous catalysis please visit the [http://www.chemguide.co.uk/physical/catalysis/introduction.html Chem Guide].
 
== For Further Reading ==
 
* [[Pressure]]
* [[Density]]
* [[Phase change]]
* Or explore a [[Special:Random|random page]]
 
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category: Uploaded]]

Latest revision as of 20:43, 4 August 2026

In most technical applications homogeneous means that the properties of a system are the uniform throughout the entire system; heterogeneous (also inhomogeneous) means that the properties change within the system.[1] Any system with two phases like ice and water are said to be heterogeneous.

For example, homogeneous systems have the same composition, density and pressure throughout. A homogeneous system will often have more than one component (like salt and water), but the mixture will be uniform throughout the sample.

For a heterogeneous system there may be clumping of salt in the salt water, or parts of the water that are saltier than others. Figures 1 and 2 below show how heterogeneous and homogeneous systems differ.

  • Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Gas Particles
  • Figure 1. A heterogeneous mixture of molecules in a gas. Note that: the density (and pressure) is different throughout.[2]
    Figure 1. A heterogeneous mixture of molecules in a gas. Note that: the density (and pressure) is different throughout.[2]
  • Figure 2. A homogeneous mixture of molecules in a gas. Here, the density (and pressure) is uniform throughout.[2]
    Figure 2. A homogeneous mixture of molecules in a gas. Here, the density (and pressure) is uniform throughout.[2]

These terms are also important for catalysis. For information on homogeneous vs. heterogeneous catalysis please visit the Chem Guide.

For Further Reading

References

  1. ↑ A Dictionary of Chemistry (7 ed) by Richard Rennie, published 2016.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Image made by a member of the energy education team by using the PhET resource found here: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/gas-properties, Accessed July 14th, 2017.
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