Question

select the correct answer. which statement describes both homogeneous mixtures and heterogeneous mixtures?
a. their components can be distinguished visually.
b. their components are combined in a fixed ratio.
c. their components can be separated by physical processes.
d. they always contain a liquid component.
e. they are considered to be pure substances.

Explanation:

• Option A: Homogeneous mixtures (e.g., salt water) have components that are not visually distinguishable, while heterogeneous mixtures (e.g., sand in water) have distinguishable components. So A is incorrect.
• Option B: Mixtures (both homogeneous and heterogeneous) do not have components combined in a fixed ratio; that's a property of compounds. So B is incorrect.
• Option C: Both homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures have components that can be separated by physical processes (e.g., distillation for homogeneous, filtration for heterogeneous). This is correct.
• Option D: Mixtures don't always contain a liquid component (e.g., air is a homogeneous mixture of gases, and a mixture of sand and iron filings is heterogeneous with no liquid). So D is incorrect.
• Option E: Mixtures are not pure substances; pure substances are elements or compounds. So E is incorrect.

Answer:

C. Their components can be separated by physical processes.