Homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures settle, or separate. As a homogeneous mixture, a solution has one phase (liquid) although the solute and solvent can vary: for example, salt water. Air can be more specifically described as a gaseous solution (oxygen and other gases dissolved in the major component, nitrogen). Since interactions between molecules play almost no role, dilute gases form rather trivial solutions. In part of the literature, they are not even classified as solutions. In gas intermolecular space is greatest and intermolecular force of attraction is least. In chemistry, a mixture is a substance containing two or more elements or compounds that are not
Phase (matter) separate spontaneously. Emulsions and colloids are examples of immiscible phase pair combinations that do not physically separate. Left to equilibration, many compositions will form a uniform single phase, but depending on the temperature and pressure even a single substance may separate into two or more distinct phases. Within each phase, the properties are uniform but between the two phases properties differ. Water in a closed jar with an air space over it forms a two phase system. Most of the water is in the liquid phase, where it is held by the mutual attraction of water molecules. Even at equilibrium