Final answer:
Filtered, freshly-brewed black coffee is a homogeneous mixture due to its consistent and uniform composition throughout, creating a solution where the individual substances are not visibly distinguishable.
Step-by-step explanation:
Freshly-brewed black coffee, when filtered, is considered a homogeneous mixture. This is because the substances from the coffee grounds have dissolved evenly in the water, creating a uniform composition throughout. If you were to take two different samples from the same cup of coffee, both would have the same ratio of coffee to water. Homogeneous mixtures have consistent properties and appearance. In contrast, heterogeneous mixtures like oil and vinegar salad dressing show different substances or phases that can be physically seen and separated easily. A homogeneous mixture also differs from an element, which is a pure substance consisting of only one type of atom.
In summary, assuming the coffee is filtered, freshly-brewed black coffee is a homogeneous mixture or a solution because of its uniform composition and indistinguishable parts.