Which is an example of a heterogeneous mixture?

Which is an example of a heterogeneous mixture?

• A. Salt water
• B. A tossed salad
• C. Distilled water
• D. Air

Answer: (B)

A heterogeneous mixture shows nonuniform composition, where the different parts are visibly distinct and not spread evenly. A tossed salad fits this because you can see and pick out the separate ingredients—lettuce, tomatoes, croutons, perhaps cheese or dressing—without them blending into a single uniform substance. Salt water is a homogeneous mixture: the salt dissolves and distributes uniformly throughout the water, so every portion has the same composition. Distilled water is a pure substance, consisting only of water molecules, and is uniform throughout. Air is a mixture of gases, and while you can’t see the individual gases, it is effectively uniform in composition on a macroscopic scale, so it’s also considered homogeneous.

A heterogeneous mixture shows nonuniform composition, where the different parts are visibly distinct and not spread evenly. A tossed salad fits this because you can see and pick out the separate ingredients—lettuce, tomatoes, croutons, perhaps cheese or dressing—without them blending into a single uniform substance.

Salt water is a homogeneous mixture: the salt dissolves and distributes uniformly throughout the water, so every portion has the same composition. Distilled water is a pure substance, consisting only of water molecules, and is uniform throughout. Air is a mixture of gases, and while you can’t see the individual gases, it is effectively uniform in composition on a macroscopic scale, so it’s also considered homogeneous.