What do we call a combination of two or more substances that retains their properties?

A combination of two or more substances that retains their individual properties is known as a mixture. Mixtures can consist of solid, liquid, or gas phases and maintain the distinct characteristics of each component involved. For example, in a mixture of sand and salt, you can still identify particles of both substances, and they do not chemically change into something new.

In contrast, a solution involves one substance being dissolved in another, leading to a homogeneous mixture where the original substances may not retain their distinct properties as fully identifiable entities. A compound, on the other hand, results when two or more substances chemically react and combine to form a new substance, completely changing their properties. An alloy is a specific type of mixture formed by combining two or more metals, which can exhibit different properties compared to the individual metals but does not encompass non-metal components. This understanding highlights the significance of identifying mixtures in emergency response situations, where the behavior of substances can be crucial for safety and management.