91Ó°ÊÓ

a. In a magnified view of a heterogeneous mixture of two different compounds, such as a mixture of sand and small pieces of plastic, we would see an irregular distribution of particles with distinct phases or regions. Sand particles could be represented by small circles, and plastic pieces by small squares. The composition is not uniform, and the different compounds can be easily distinguished. b. In a magnified view of a homogeneous mixture of an element and a compound, such as a mixture of water and dissolved table salt, we would see a uniform composition with evenly distributed components. Water molecules could be represented by small circles, and salt ions (Na+ and Cl-) by connected smaller circles within a larger circle. The components are not distinguishable from one another in this uniform mixture.