answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

There are many different techniques of chemical analysis, and the first step is to just look at the substance and see if you can observe anything non-homogeneous in its appearance. If the substance is a solid you could add water and see if all of it dissolves or just part of it. Chromatography is a useful technique; if you put a liquid on a paper or paper-like material, different substances diffuse at different speeds. Spectrography can be used to identify the constituent elements, which is at least a major clue as to what you are dealing with in terms of possible compounds. Distillation could be used to see if there is a component that has a lower boiling point than other components. A centrifuge can be used to separate out a denser component. And so forth.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

6mo ago

A pure substance is a material that consists of only one type of atom or molecule. To determine if something is a pure substance, you can perform a purity test such as chromatography or spectroscopy to check for the presence of impurities. Additionally, characteristics like a sharp melting point or constant boiling point can indicate the purity of a substance.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

Compare its physical properties to standards. If that is not enough, the use of various equipment can be used to determine what is present and in what amounts; further tests can be used to determine what the exact mix is, and how exactly everything is bonded.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago

This is possible only by chemical analysis.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

Chemical analysis

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How can you tell if something is a pure substance?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What are two reasons why density is a useful property identifying substances?

Density can tell you how "pure" a substance is. Since each substance has a specific density in its "pure" state, having no other substances in its composition, by measuring it density you can tell how pure the mineral or substance is, 99.9% pure gold.


How can you tell if a substance is pure or not?

You can tell if a substance is pure by using techniques like melting point determination or chromatography to compare against known pure samples. If the substance has a consistent melting point or chromatogram, it is likely pure. Impurities can cause a substance to have a lower melting point or show additional peaks in chromatography.


What are two reasons why density is a useful property for identifying substances?

Density is specific for each substance. Also the measurement is generally simple.


What is the characteristic of a pure substance that can be observed without changing the substance into something else.?

A physical property can be observed without changing the substance into something else.


What is a property of a characteristic of a pure substance that can be observed without changing the substance into something else?

A physical property can be observed without changing the substance into something else.


An what property is characteristic of pure substance that can observed without changing the substance into something else?

A physical property can be observed without changing the substance into something else.


What is a property of characteristic of a pure substance that can be observed without changing the substance into something else?

A physical property can be observed without changing the substance into something else.


A pure substance is the what throughout?

A pure substance is constant in composition throughout, meaning it is made up of only one type of particle or element. This distinguishes it from a mixture, which contains two or more different substances that are physically combined.


What is a pure substance that cannot be decomposed or converted into something simpler?

An element


What does a chemical formula tell you about a pure substance?

A chemical formula tells you the types of atoms present in a pure substance and their ratios. It provides information on the elements that make up the substance and how they are bonded together.


How could you prove to someone that a clear material is a solution not compound?

well Tell the person its a pure substance so a pure substance can only compound one matter


Is acetone a pure substance or mixture?

pure substance, propanone