Week 2-An Introduction to Vocabulary and Basic Theory

Compound: A single substance formed by two or more atoms

• Defined by being formed by the same molecule over and over again


• Only one substance forms a compounds composition

Mixture: Combination of two or more compounds

• Can be considered either heterogeneous or homogeneous

Heterogeneous Mixture: A mixture where you can see the different compounds that make it up and you can separate them

Homogeneous Mixture: A mixture where you can't see the different compounds that make it up but you can still separate them

Potion: A magical mixture that combines both magical and mundane ingredients

• Brewed over a fire or another thermal energy (heat) source      


• The term itself is rather general as it represents any magical combination of ingredients that has been brewed to achieve a certain effect       


• Only a witch or wizard should ingest or apply a potion     


• Muggles used to be slightly more tolerant to potions, but because of their long separation from magic, what little tolerance they had has faded


• Is a mixture of compounds

Solution: A type of mixture made up of a solute(s) and a solvent

• Can be either a liquid or a gas


• An example of a solution is the atmosphere

Solute: A smaller amount of a substance that spreads throughout a bigger one (the solvent)

Solvent: A substance that a solute spreads throughout

Phase Transition: The term that refers to phases passing through to another phase

Solids, liquids, and gases are made up of atoms and molecules. The more packed together and less dynamic these particles are, the more solid they are as a result.

The image above is a list of different phase changes.