Which statement best defines a heterogeneous mixture?

Which statement best defines a heterogeneous mixture?

• A. A homogeneous mixture.
• B. A solution with a single phase.
• C. A mixture in which the components are not evenly distributed, and different samples may have different properties.
• D. A substance with uniform composition throughout.

Answer: (C)

Heterogeneous mixtures have non-uniform composition across the sample. That means different regions can have different amounts or types of material, so a sample taken from one part may show different properties (color, texture, concentration) than a sample from another part. This idea is why the statement describing a mixture in which components are not evenly distributed and where different samples can have different properties is the best definition. Real-world examples include granite, salad, or a mixture of oil and water before it’s fully mixed—the visible differences between parts reflect the lack of uniformity. In contrast, a substance described as having uniform composition throughout or a solution with a single phase indicates a homogeneous mixture, where every portion is the same and you can’t distinguish the components.

Heterogeneous mixtures have non-uniform composition across the sample. That means different regions can have different amounts or types of material, so a sample taken from one part may show different properties (color, texture, concentration) than a sample from another part. This idea is why the statement describing a mixture in which components are not evenly distributed and where different samples can have different properties is the best definition. Real-world examples include granite, salad, or a mixture of oil and water before it’s fully mixed—the visible differences between parts reflect the lack of uniformity.

In contrast, a substance described as having uniform composition throughout or a solution with a single phase indicates a homogeneous mixture, where every portion is the same and you can’t distinguish the components.