Home Wikituition Browse all terms Categories
Random term
Foundations of Chemistry

Heterogeneous Mixture

A mixture in which the components remain physically distinct, so composition varies from one region of the sample to another.

Unit Dimensionless

In depth

Two or more phases are visible, either directly or under magnification, and the components can usually be separated by settling, filtration or hand-picking. Suspensions and emulsions are heterogeneous mixtures in which one phase is finely dispersed but still distinguishable.

Examples in the real world

Sand in water, oil and vinegar salad dressing, granite, and a bowl of cereal in milk.