granite is
a. element
b. compound
c. suspension
d. heterogeneous mixture
e. homogeneous mixture
f. colloid
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is d. heterogeneous mixture.
Granite is a type of rock that consists of various minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and mica. These minerals are not chemically bonded together but are physically mixed. This mixture of different minerals gives granite its characteristic appearance, with visible grains of different colors and textures. Since the components of granite retain their individual properties and are not uniformly distributed, granite is classified as a heterogeneous mixture.
In a heterogeneous mixture, the different substances can be easily distinguished from one another. This is in contrast to a homogeneous mixture, where the components are evenly distributed throughout and cannot be easily separated. For example, in a homogeneous mixture like saltwater, the salt dissolves completely in the water, making it impossible to distinguish the salt from the water.
Granite’s heterogeneous nature is also evident in its texture. The mineral grains vary in size, and their distribution is not uniform. The mixture of these different minerals occurs naturally during the formation of the rock over millions of years under high pressure and temperature conditions deep within the Earth’s crust.
Because granite does not consist of a single substance or compound, it is not classified as a compound or an element. A compound is made up of atoms of different elements chemically bonded together in a fixed ratio, whereas granite consists of several minerals that are not chemically bonded in a fixed ratio. Thus, the correct classification for granite is a heterogeneous mixture.