Which of the following is a characteristic of mixtures?

• A. They are always homogeneous at the molecular level.
• B. Their components can be separated by physical means.
• C. Their components lose their individual properties.
• D. They have a fixed composition.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definition of a mixture: A mixture is a combination of two or more substances where each substance retains its own chemical identity and properties.
2. Recall that mixtures can be either homogeneous (uniform composition) or heterogeneous (non-uniform composition), so they are not always homogeneous at the molecular level.
3. Recognize that in mixtures, the components do not lose their individual properties because they are not chemically bonded.
4. Note that mixtures do not have a fixed composition; the ratio of components can vary.
5. Identify that a key characteristic of mixtures is that their components can be separated by physical means, such as filtration, distillation, or decantation.