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Foundations of Chemistry

Pure Substance

Matter with a fixed chemical composition and a definite set of physical properties, comprising either a single element or a single compound.

Unit Dimensionless

In depth

A pure substance melts and boils at a sharp, reproducible temperature, which is why melting-point determination is a classic purity test. Any impurity depresses and broadens the melting range. Purity in the laboratory is quoted as a percentage or as a grade such as analytical reagent (AR).

Examples in the real world

Distilled water, 99.999% pure copper, crystalline sucrose, and a cylinder of high-purity argon.