A heterogeneous mixture is a combination of two or more substances that remain distinct and can be easily identified. In these mixtures, the individual components do not blend uniformly, meaning you can see and separate them. Examples include a salad, where you can see the different vegetables, or a bowl of cereal with milk, where the cereal pieces float separately. These mixtures can be made up of solids, liquids, or gases. Because the components retain their properties, they can often be separated by physical means, such as filtering or using a magnet. Common examples of heterogeneous mixtures include sand and salt, oil and water, and rocky soil.