A ___________ means that 2 or more substances have combined, yet the 2 substances retain their chemical identity?
A mixture? This doesn't quite fit because in a mixture the two substances are mixed (not combined) but they retain their chemical identity.
The term you are looking for is "mixture". In a mixture, two or more substances are physically combined, but they maintain their individual chemical identities. To identify a mixture, you can follow these steps:
1. Look for the physical characteristics: Mixtures can have a uniform composition (homogeneous) or vary in composition (heterogeneous). If the substances appear to be evenly distributed and have a consistent appearance throughout, it is a homogeneous mixture. If you notice distinct regions or different components within the mixture, it is a heterogeneous mixture.
2. Observe if the components can be easily separated: Unlike chemical compounds, mixtures can usually be separated back into their original substances through physical methods. For example, if you can use filtration, distillation, or evaporation to separate the components, it is likely a mixture.
3. Consider the properties of the components: Each substance in a mixture retains its chemical properties. This means that the physical and chemical properties of the individual substances in the mixture do not change. For instance, if one substance in the mixture has a different boiling point than the others, it can be separated using distillation.
By assessing these characteristics and properties, you can identify whether a given combination of substances can be categorized as a mixture.