The properties described in the question match those of a heterogeneous mixture. Let's break down the properties given:
1. It is a heterogeneous mixture: This means that the components of the mixture are visibly different and not uniformly distributed. In this type of mixture, you can see the individual parts without needing a microscope.
2. It scatters a beam of light that passes through it: This property indicates that the mixture is not transparent, and light passing through it is disrupted or scattered due to the presence of different components with varying densities.
3. The components cannot be separated from the mixture by filtration: This suggests that the components of the mixture are not easily separated using a filtration process because they are physically different and do not pass through a filter in the same way.
Given these properties, the mixture being described is most likely "sand in water." This mixture fits the criteria of being heterogeneous, scattering light due to the presence of solid particles (sand) in the liquid (water), and not being separable by filtration because the sand particles are too large to pass through a filter.
Other mixtures listed:
- A mixture of zinc and copper i.e. brass: Brass is an alloy, which is a homogeneous mixture of metals, so it does not match the description of a heterogeneous mixture.
- A solution of sugar in water: A solution is a homogeneous mixture where the components are evenly distributed at a molecular level, unlike the visibly different components in a heterogeneous mixture.
- Milk: Milk is also a homogeneous mixture, as it is a colloidal suspension where the fat and protein molecules are dispersed evenly throughout the liquid, making it a colloid, not a heterogeneous mixture.
