A heterogeneous mixture is a type of mixture where the components are not evenly distributed, resulting in a lack of uniformity in composition. In simpler terms, if you look closely at a heterogeneous mixture, you will find distinct regions or phases that have different properties.
For example, if you take a salad, you can easily see the individual ingredients like lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers all mixed together. Each ingredient maintains its own properties and doesn’t blend completely. This is characteristic of a heterogeneous mixture.
In contrast, a homogeneous mixture, like saltwater, has a uniform composition throughout—meaning that the different components blend together well and you can’t distinguish them easily.
Understanding heterogeneous mixtures is important because they are common in everyday life and in various scientific and industrial processes. Examples include a mixture of sand and salt, oil and water, or even a bowl of cereal with milk, where you can see different parts within the mix.