Which term describes a substance made of more than one kind of particle in which the particles are not uniformly scattered and are visible?

Which term describes a substance made of more than one kind of particle in which the particles are not uniformly scattered and are visible?

• A. Solution
• B. Mixture
• C. Mechanical mixture
• D. Pure substance

Answer: (C)

When a substance contains more than one kind of particle that is not evenly spread and you can actually see the different parts, you’re dealing with a heterogeneous, or mechanical, mixture. The key is that the components stay distinct and are not dissolved; you could separate them by simple physical means or by hand, because they’re visible as separate bits. A solution would be uniform throughout with the components dissolved, so you wouldn’t see the different particles. A pure substance is made of only one kind of particle, with no mixture of different visible components. This description—visible, nonuniform particles that remain separate—best matches a mechanical mixture.

When a substance contains more than one kind of particle that is not evenly spread and you can actually see the different parts, you’re dealing with a heterogeneous, or mechanical, mixture. The key is that the components stay distinct and are not dissolved; you could separate them by simple physical means or by hand, because they’re visible as separate bits. A solution would be uniform throughout with the components dissolved, so you wouldn’t see the different particles. A pure substance is made of only one kind of particle, with no mixture of different visible components. This description—visible, nonuniform particles that remain separate—best matches a mechanical mixture.