Sign in

Playbook

Matter and Its States

30 q · 3% HARD. Five subtopics: separation techniques (filtration, distillation, chromatography), compound/mixture/solution classification, states + phase change, colloids vs suspensions (20% HARD — the lone trap subtopic), and physical vs chemical change identification.

questions in the bank
30
tagged HARD
3%
subtopic(s)
5
worked examples
2

When you’ll see it

A separation-method match (distillation/chromatography/filtration/crystallisation), a compound-vs-mixture-vs-solution classification, a phase-change/diffusion statement, a colloid vs suspension distinction, or a physical-vs-chemical-change recognition.

How this chapter is tested

30 q in 10 years, 1 HARD. Five small subtopics, all rule-of-thumb sized. Separation techniques (7 q): pick the method based on the mixture's nature — solid+liquid → filtration; two miscible liquids → distillation; pigments → chromatography; non-volatile solid in solution → evaporation OR crystallisation (cleaner).

Compounds/Mixtures/Solutions (7 q): pure substance = element OR compound (fixed composition); mixture = variable composition (heterogeneous like sand+iron, homogeneous like air or salt water). True solution: particle size < 1 nm (dissolved sugar). Colloid: 1–1000 nm (milk, fog). Suspension: > 1000 nm (chalk in water, settles on standing).

Colloids vs Suspensions (5 q, 20% HARD) is the trap subtopic. Colloids: heterogeneous BUT particles don't settle (Brownian motion keeps them suspended), show Tyndall effect (scatter light). Suspensions: heterogeneous AND particles settle on standing. Soap + water = colloid (specifically an emulsion). Phase changes (7 q): solid↔liquid (melting/freezing), liquid↔gas (vaporisation/condensation), solid↔gas (sublimation, e.g. iodine + camphor + dry ice).

The sub-skills

The rules and habits that decide whether you get a question right.

  • Separation-method matching

    Insoluble solid + liquid: filtration. Soluble solid + liquid (recover solid): evaporation/crystallisation. Two miscible liquids of different BP: fractional distillation. Volatile from non-volatile: simple distillation. Pigments/dyes: chromatography. Iron from sand: magnetic separation.

  • Mixture-type classification

    Element: 1 type of atom. Compound: 2+ elements chemically bonded, FIXED composition. Mixture: 2+ substances mechanically combined, VARIABLE composition. Homogeneous mixture = solution. Heterogeneous mixture = suspension OR colloid (depending on particle size).

  • Colloid vs suspension vs solution

    Particle size: solution < 1 nm; colloid 1–1000 nm; suspension > 1000 nm. Tyndall effect: only colloid + suspension (true solution doesn't scatter). Settling: only suspension (colloid stays dispersed via Brownian motion).

  • Physical vs chemical change identification

    Physical: reversible, no new substance, no energy beyond phase change (melting ice, dissolving sugar, evaporation). Chemical: irreversible (mostly), new substance formed, energy released/absorbed (burning, rusting, cooking, photosynthesis). Test: can you get the original back easily?

2 worked examples from the bank

Real past-year questions illustrating the playbook. Click to reveal options + solution.

Example 1Matter and Its StatesHARD
Soap with water forms :

[Q105 · Apr · 2024]

Example 2Matter and Its StatesMODERATE
Consider the following statements: I. A colloid and a suspension are heterogeneous mixtures. II. Colloids can be separated from the mixture by the process of centrifugation. III. Particles of colloids and suspensions can be seen by naked eye. IV. The aqueous solution of copper sulphate does not show Tyndall effect; however, the mixture of milk and water shows Tyndall effect. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[Q78 · Apr · 2026]

Traps to expect

Distractor shapes specific to this chapter. The page-wide Traps section covers the bank-level patterns.

  • Filtration ≠ purifies a solution

    Filtration only removes UNDISSOLVED solids. A dissolved solute (salt in water) passes through the filter paper unchanged. Wrong option offers filtration for salt-from-saltwater (need evaporation/distillation).

  • Colloid 'settles on standing' confusion

    Colloids do NOT settle on standing (Brownian motion keeps particles dispersed); SUSPENSIONS settle. Wrong option treats them as the same category. Soap+water = colloid (specifically an emulsion); chalk+water = suspension.

  • Sublimation candidates

    Sublimes (solid→gas without melting): iodine, camphor, naphthalene, dry ice, NH₄Cl. Wrong options include common solids like NaCl or sugar that just dissolve or melt — neither sublimes at ordinary pressure.

Drill every matter and its states question

30 questions from the bank, scoped to 5 bundled subtopics.

Drill the 30 questions

Related playbooks

Often paired with this one — drill these next if you found the worked examples above tractable.