What is the definition of a mixture?

A mixture is defined as a substance that contains many different components. This definition highlights the key characteristic of mixtures: they are combinations of two or more substances that maintain their own chemical identities and properties.

In a mixture, the individual components can vary in proportions and can be present in any ratio. Importantly, the components of a mixture can be physically separated by methods such as filtration, distillation, or evaporation because they do not undergo any chemical change during the mixing process. This flexibility in composition and the ability to separate the components is what distinguishes a mixture from a pure substance, which has a consistent and definite composition and cannot be easily separated into its individual parts.

This understanding is crucial in the context of chemistry because it allows for the recognition of how different substances can interact without forming new chemical compounds while still retaining their individual characteristics.