These differences are summarised in the table below. Comparison of Mixtures and Compounds Mixtures Properties related to those of the constituents. Composition is variable. Constituents can be mechanically separated. Compounds Properties need not be related to constituents.
Composition is fixed and can be represented by a formula.
Constituents cannot be mechanically separated. Component A component is a distinct chemical species in a mixture. If there are no chemical reactions between the components in a mixture, the number of components is the number of distinct chemical species. Compound A compound is a substance composed of two or more elements that are bound together by chemical bonds. A compound cannot be broken down into its individual elements of which it is composed by physical means.