* Element: A pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means (e.g., gold, oxygen).
* Compound: A substance formed when two or more different elements are chemically bonded together (e.g., water (H₂O), table salt (NaCl)).
* Mixture: A combination of two or more substances that are not chemically bonded. The components of a mixture retain their individual properties and can be separated by physical means (e.g., salt water, air).
Salt water is a mixture because:
* It consists of two substances: salt (NaCl) and water (H₂O).
* The salt and water are not chemically bonded together.
* You can separate salt water by physical means, such as evaporation (water evaporates, leaving salt behind).
