What do heterogeneous and homogeneous refer to?

Heterogeneous and homogeneous refer to types of mixtures in chemistry. A homogeneous mixture has a uniform composition throughout, meaning that its components are evenly distributed and indistinguishable from one another on a microscopic level. Examples include solutions like saltwater, where the dissolved salt particles are uniformly distributed throughout the water.

In contrast, a heterogeneous mixture consists of visibly different substances or phases that can often be separated physically. Examples include salad or sand and gravel, where individual components retain their distinct properties and appearances.

Understanding these definitions is crucial in the study of mixtures, as it helps to determine how different substances interact and how they can be separated or combined in various applications, including in medical imaging and sonography techniques where the properties of various biological tissues may resemble heterogeneous mixtures.