What characterizes a mixture?

A mixture is characterized by the combination of two or more substances that retain their unique identities and properties. In a mixture, the individual components do not undergo any chemical change; they can be physically separated and each component maintains its own specific characteristics.

For example, in a salad, you can identify lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers separately, and none of these ingredients lose their individual properties or transforms into something new. This is fundamentally different from a compound, where elements combine to form a new substance with distinct properties.

The correct characterization of a mixture emphasizes the physical combination of substances, allowing them to coexist without altering each other chemically. This helps to differentiate mixtures from more homogenous substances with fixed compositions, such as pure compounds, where the elements are chemically bonded together.