Mixture vs. Admixture — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 6, 2023
A mixture is created when two or more different materials are combined without undergoing a chemical change. An admixture refers to a small amount of a substance that is introduced into a mixture to modify its properties.
Difference Between Mixture and Admixture
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A mixture is a combination of two or more substances mingled together without any chemical bonding. An admixture, however, usually refers to an additional element introduced into a mixture, often to improve or modify its properties. Mixtures can be separated by physical means, and admixtures are part of these mixtures, typically added deliberately for a specific effect.
Mixtures exist in various forms, like solutions, suspensions, or colloids, and are made up of components that retain their own properties. Admixtures are often used in the context of concrete, where substances are added to cement to change its properties. While both mixtures and admixtures consist of more than one substance, the term admixture places emphasis on the act of adding an extra component.
In terms of composition, a mixture can be uniform (homogeneous) or non-uniform (heterogeneous) with its components easily identifiable. An admixture, though, is generally homogeneous, since it is meant to be fully incorporated into the mixture, contributing to its uniformity and often enhancing its performance or characteristics.
The use of the word mixture is broad and non-specific; it can describe any physical combination of substances, such as a salad or air. Admixture has a more technical or specialized usage, implying precision and purpose in the addition, such as adding plasticizers to concrete.
Finally, mixtures can be formed naturally or created artificially, encompassing a wide range of everyday substances. Admixtures are more commonly associated with scientific, construction, or industrial contexts, where they are added to a mixture to achieve a particular function or effect, such as improving the durability or reducing the setting time of concrete.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Any combination of two or more substances.
A substance added to a mixture to alter its properties.
Quantity
Can involve substances in any proportion.
Generally added in smaller quantities to a larger mixture.
Purpose
To combine substances without changing their chemical properties.
To enhance or modify the properties of the existing mixture.
Usage
Broad, general use in everyday language.
More specific, often used in technical or industrial contexts.
Examples
Food recipes, air, alloys.
Additives in cement, dyes in paint, fortifiers in food.
Compare with Definitions
Mixture
Something made by mixing
The baker prepared a mixture for the cake.
Admixture
Small amount incorporated
The paint included an admixture for better durability.
Mixture
A physical blend of substances
A fruit salad is a healthy mixture of various fruits.
Admixture
Something added to enhance
The feed for the livestock contained a nutritional admixture.
Mixture
Various kinds combined
Her music is a mixture of jazz and blues.
Admixture
A substance mixed with another
The concrete had an admixture to accelerate curing.
Mixture
In chemistry, a mixture is a material made up of two or more different substances which are not chemically combined. A mixture is the physical combination of two or more substances in which the identities are retained and are mixed in the form of solutions, suspensions and colloids.Mixtures are one product of mechanically blending or mixing chemical substances such as elements and compounds, without chemical bonding or other chemical change, so that each ingredient substance retains its own chemical properties and makeup.
Admixture
Component mixed in
The admixture gave the alloy increased strength.
Mixture
The act or process of mixing
An alloy made from the mixture of two metals.
Admixture
Minor element added
An admixture of herbs improved the stew’s flavor.
Mixture
The condition of being mixed
The inevitable mixture of different cultures in big cities.
Admixture
The act of mixing or mingling
The researcher's admixture of different chemicals.
Mixture
A combination of ingredients used in cooking or baking.
Admixture
The state of being mingled or mixed
The narrative's admixture of fact and imagination.
Mixture
One that consists of diverse elements
The day was a mixture of sun and clouds.
Admixture
Something that is produced by mixing; a mixture
An admixture of vitamins and minerals.
Mixture
A fabric made of different kinds of thread or yarn.
Admixture
Something added in making a mixture
Using fly ash as an admixture in making concrete.
Mixture
(Chemistry) A composition of two or more substances that are not chemically combined with each other and are capable of being separated.
Admixture
An instance of admixing, a mixing in of something.
The admixture of vanilla extract in the dough improved the pastries' flavor.
Mixture
The act of mixing.
The mixture of sulphuric acid and water produces heat.
Admixture
A mixing-in of a biologically or genetically differentiated group to an established stock.
Mixture
Something produced by mixing.
An alloy is a mixture of two metals.
Admixture
A mixture, in some contexts
Mixture
Something that consists of diverse elements.
The day was a mixture of sunshine and showers.
Admixture
(epilepsy) a mixture composed of entities retaining their individual properties.
Background EEG demonstrates an admixture of theta and delta waves.
Mixture
A medicinal compound, typically a suspension of a solid in a solution
A teaspoonful of the mixture to be taken three times daily after meals
Admixture
The act of mixing; mixture.
Mixture
(music) A compound organ stop.
Admixture
The compound formed by mixing different substances together.
Mixture
A cloth of variegated colouring.
Admixture
That which is mixed with anything.
Mixture
(India) A mix of different dry foods as a snack, especially chevda or Bombay mix.
Admixture
The state of impairing the quality or reducing the value of something
Mixture
The act of mixing, or the state of being mixed; as, made by a mixture of ingredients.
Admixture
An additional ingredient that is added by mixing with the base;
The growing medium should be equal parts of sand and loam with an admixture of peat moss and cow manure
A large intermixture of sand
Mixture
That which results from mixing different ingredients together; a compound; as, to drink a mixture of molasses and water; - also, a medley.
There is also a mixture of good and evil wisely distributed by God, to serve the ends of his providence.
Admixture
The act of mixing together;
Paste made by a mix of flour and water
The mixing of sound channels in the recording studio
Mixture
An ingredient entering into a mixed mass; an additional ingredient.
Cicero doubts whether it were possible for a community to exist that had not a prevailing mixture of piety in its constitution.
Mixture
A kind of liquid medicine made up of many ingredients; esp., as opposed to solution, a liquid preparation in which the solid ingredients are not completely dissolved.
Mixture
A mass of two or more ingredients, the particles of which are separable, independent, and uncompounded with each other, no matter how thoroughly and finely commingled; - contrasted with a compound and solution; thus, gunpowder is a mechanical mixture of carbon, sulphur, and niter.
Mixture
An organ stop, comprising from two to five ranges of pipes, used only in combination with the foundation and compound stops; - called also furniture stop. It consists of high harmonics, or overtones, of the ground tone.
Mixture
(chemistry) a substance consisting of two or more substances mixed together (not in fixed proportions and not with chemical bonding)
Mixture
Any foodstuff made by combining different ingredients;
He volunteered to taste her latest concoction
He drank a mixture of beer and lemonade
Mixture
A collection containing a variety of sorts of things;
A great assortment of cars was on display
He had a variety of disorders
A veritable smorgasbord of religions
Mixture
An event that combines things in a mixture;
A gradual mixture of cultures
Mixture
The act of mixing together;
Paste made by a mix of flour and water
The mixing of sound channels in the recording studio
Mixture
A product of mixing
The chemist examined the mixture under a microscope.
Mixture
An assortment
The antique shop offered a curious mixture of items.
Common Curiosities
Do admixtures change the chemical composition of mixtures?
Admixtures do not change the chemical composition but can alter physical or other properties.
Can an admixture be a main component?
Typically, an admixture is a minor component added to a mixture to achieve a certain effect.
Are all solutions mixtures?
Yes, all solutions are mixtures, but not all mixtures are solutions.
Is the air we breathe a mixture or an admixture?
The air is a mixture of various gases.
What is an admixture?
An admixture is a specific substance added to a mixture to modify its properties.
Are admixtures always solid?
No, admixtures can be solid, liquid, or gas, depending on the mixture they are added to.
What is a mixture?
A mixture is any combination of two or more substances that are mixed together without chemically bonding.
Can the terms mixture and admixture be used interchangeably?
No, they refer to different concepts; a mixture is the combination itself, while an admixture is an added element to the mixture.
Are food recipes considered mixtures?
Yes, food recipes often result in mixtures of ingredients.
Is it possible for a mixture to not contain an admixture?
Yes, mixtures do not necessarily contain admixtures.
Is dye in paint considered an admixture?
Yes, dye can be an admixture that alters the color of the paint.
Can mixtures be separated?
Yes, mixtures can usually be separated by physical means.
Is salad dressing a mixture?
Yes, salad dressing is a mixture of oil, vinegar, and other ingredients.
Can water be an admixture?
Yes, when water is added to a dry mix to achieve a specific consistency, it is considered an admixture.
Can an admixture become the dominant substance in a mixture?
Typically no, as admixtures are added in smaller amounts compared to the main components.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
