Characteristics of Mixtures
1. The constituents of a mixture are not present in a fixed ratio. Ocean water in some regions is saltier than in others. The amount of carbon dioxide and water vapor present in air also varies from place to place.
2. No chemical reaction takes place amongst the constituents of a mixture. Thus, the forces, which hold the constituents of a mixture together, are weak and, therefore, the constituents can be separated by simple methods. For example, a mixture of sand and water can be separated easily by filtration.
3. The constituents of a mixture retain their original properties. For example, the ability of air to support combustion is due to oxygen, which is one of its constituents. The chemical property of table salt (sodium chloride) remains the same, whether it is part of a mixture (seawater) or present by itself.
