* Mixture: A mixture is a combination of two or more substances where each substance retains its own properties. Salt and water do this – the salt dissolves but its chemical makeup remains the same.

* Solution: A solution is a special type of mixture where one substance (the solute) dissolves completely into another substance (the solvent). In the case of salt and water, the salt (solute) dissolves into the water (solvent), forming a homogeneous mixture.

Key Points:

* Solutions are homogeneous, meaning the mixture has a uniform composition throughout. You can't see individual salt particles in a saltwater solution.

* Solutions are usually transparent, allowing light to pass through them.

* The components of a solution can be separated by physical means, like evaporation (in the case of salt and water).

So, while salt and water form a mixture, it's more accurately described as a solution because the salt dissolves completely in the water.