Is Salt water a compound or a mixture ?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: Salt water is a mixture.
Explanation
Salt water is classified as a mixture rather than a compound. A mixture is formed when two or more substances are physically combined without undergoing a chemical reaction. In the case of salt water, it is made by dissolving table salt (sodium chloride) in water. The salt particles disperse evenly throughout the water, but no new chemical bonds are formed between the salt and water molecules.
One way to tell that salt water is a mixture is that its components can be separated by physical means. For example, by heating the salt water until the water evaporates, the salt remains behind. This kind of separation is not possible with a compound because compounds involve chemical bonding between elements and require chemical reactions to break them apart.
Additionally, the composition of salt water can vary. You can add a little salt or a lot, and it still remains salt water. This variability is a key characteristic of mixtures. Compounds, on the other hand, have a fixed ratio of elements. For example, water as a compound is always made of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. If the ratio changes, it becomes a different substance.
Salt water is also known as a homogeneous mixture or a solution. This means that the salt is evenly distributed throughout the water and the mixture appears uniform. If you look at a sample of salt water, it appears as one phase or layer. There is no visible difference between the salt and the water once the salt has fully dissolved.
In conclusion, salt water is a mixture because it is made of substances that are physically combined, can be separated by physical processes, and have variable composition. No new substance is formed during the mixing process.
