* No Fixed Ratio: Mixtures are made up of two or more substances that are physically combined, not chemically. This means the substances in a mixture can be present in varying proportions. For example, a salt-and-pepper mixture can have more salt or more pepper depending on how it's made.
* No New Substance Formation: In a mixture, the components retain their individual properties. They haven't reacted to form a new substance with a unique set of properties.
* Separable Components: The components of a mixture can be separated by physical means like filtration, evaporation, or magnetic separation.
In contrast, chemical compounds:
* Have a fixed ratio of elements held together by chemical bonds.
* Form a new substance with properties distinct from its components.
* Can be represented by a chemical formula that shows the types and number of atoms in a molecule of the compound.
Example:
* Water (H₂O): A compound with a fixed ratio of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
* Salt Water: A mixture of salt (NaCl) and water (H₂O). The salt and water retain their individual properties, and the ratio can vary.
