* Compounds are formed when two or more elements chemically combine in a fixed ratio. For example, water (H₂O) is a compound because it always has two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

* Mixtures are combinations of two or more substances where each substance retains its own properties. The components of a mixture can be separated by physical means.

Mineral water contains water (H₂O) as its primary component, but it also includes dissolved minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium. These minerals are not chemically bonded to the water molecules; they are simply dissolved in the water.

Therefore, mineral water is a mixture because:

* It consists of multiple substances (water and dissolved minerals).

* The proportions of these substances can vary.

* The minerals can be separated from the water through processes like evaporation or filtration.