Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A heterogeneous mixture is a combination of two or more substances, where the different components can be visually distinguished.
Related terms
Suspension: This is a type of heterogeneous mixture where solid particles are dispersed in a liquid or gas but over time may settle at the bottom of the container.
Colloid: This is another type of heterogeneous mixture. However, unlike suspensions, the particles in colloids do not settle out over time and cannot be separated by simple filtration.
Phase: In context to mixtures, phase refers to any part of a system that has uniform composition and properties. In a heterogeneous mixture, there are multiple phases present.