Wood is classified as a mixture. It is made up of multiple components, including cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose, and various organic compounds. These components are not chemically bonded in a fixed ratio, which is characteristic of mixtures.
To elaborate, elements are pure substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means, such as oxygen or carbon. Compounds, on the other hand, consist of two or more elements that are chemically bonded together in a fixed ratio, like water (H2O) or carbon dioxide (CO2).
In contrast, wood contains a variety of organic compounds and changes in composition depending on the type of tree, the environmental conditions where it grows, and the specific part of the tree being considered (e.g., bark, trunk, leaves). This complexity is what makes wood a mixture rather than a pure substance. Therefore, wood’s physical properties can vary significantly, further underscoring its classification as a mixture.