Difference Between a Compound and a Mixture Explained

Subject : Chemistry

Question:

What is the difference between a compound and a mixture?

Answer Description:

A compound is a substance formed when two or more elements chemically combine in a fixed ratio, resulting in a completely new substance with distinct properties. For example, water (H₂O) is a compound made from hydrogen and oxygen. In a compound, the elements cannot be separated by physical means and require a chemical reaction to break the bonds.

A mixture, on the other hand, is a combination of two or more substances that are physically blended but not chemically combined. The components of a mixture retain their original properties and can be separated by physical methods such as filtration or evaporation. For instance, saltwater is a mixture of salt and water, where both components can be separated through evaporation.

The key difference is that compounds involve chemical bonding between elements, whereas mixtures involve physical blending without chemical bonds.

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