Barber Practice State Board Practice Exam

Which of the following is an example of a physical mixture?

1. Water

2. Salt

3. Concrete

4. Sugar

The correct answer is: Concrete

Concrete is an example of a physical mixture because it consists of multiple components, including cement, water, sand, and aggregate (gravel or crushed stone), which are combined but retain their individual properties. In a physical mixture, the substances can be separated by physical means, and no chemical change occurs during the mixing process. In contrast, water is a pure substance in its liquid form; salt is a pure compound consisting of sodium and chloride; and sugar is also a pure compound made up of sucrose. These substances do not combine with others to form a physical mixture that maintains the distinct characteristics of each component.