When two elements are combined without changing their properties, what is this called?

When two elements are combined without changing their properties, the result is termed a mixture. In a mixture, the individual components retain their own chemical identities and properties. This means that you can separate them through physical methods, and each component continues to exhibit its unique characteristics.

For example, when sand is mixed with salt, both components can be observed and recognized in their original forms, and physical processes such as filtration or evaporation can be used to separate them.

In contrast, a solution is a homogeneous mixture where one substance (the solute) is dissolved in another (the solvent), leading to a uniform composition that does not allow the original components to be easily distinguished. An alloy is a specific type of mixture consisting of two or more metals that are combined, which typically changes the properties of the metals involved but is still a different category altogether. A compound forms when elements chemically bond, resulting in a substance with new properties that differ from those of the original elements. This makes "mixture" the appropriate term for the combination of elements without a change in their properties.