To determine the best classification for the sample of crude oil based on the given percentages of hydrocarbons, we need to analyze the nature of the components present.
Here's the breakdown of hydrocarbons in the sample:
- Paraffins: 30%
- Naphthenes: 49%
- Aromatics: 15%
- Asphaltics: 6.0%
Definitions:
1. Element: A pure substance that consists of only one type of atom.
2. Pure compound: A substance composed of two or more elements chemically combined in a fixed proportion.
3. Pure substance: A material with a consistent composition and consistent properties throughout; includes both elements and compounds.
4. Mixture: A combination of two or more substances in which each substance retains its own chemical identity and properties. Mixtures can be homogeneous (uniform composition throughout) or heterogeneous (non-uniform composition).
Given that the sample contains multiple components (paraffins, naphthenes, aromatics, and asphaltics) with varying percentages, it does not consist of a single element or a single pure compound. Rather, it is composed of several different types of hydrocarbons, each with its unique properties.
Thus, the best classification for this sample of crude oil is:
A mixture
This classification is appropriate because the sample includes various hydrocarbons, each maintaining its own characteristics, which is the defining trait of a mixture.
