Definition
Mixtures are physical combinations of two or more substances that retain their original properties and can be separated by physical means.
Why It Matters
They represent systems where components remain distinct and do not undergo chemical transformation.
Core Concepts
- Compound: A substance made of two or more elements chemically combined in a fixed ratio (e.g., , ). The properties of a compound are usually entirely different from the properties of the elements that make it up.
- How to read: “The chemical formulas H two O and N a C l.”
- Meaning: Water and table salt—fixed-ratio chemical combinations whose properties differ entirely from constituent elements.
- Mixture: A substance that is mixed together without chemical bonding. The components of a mixture retain their original properties and can usually be separated by physical means (e.g., salt and sand, air).