Final answer:
A compound can only be separated by chemical means and has specific properties, while a mixture can be physically separated, with each substance retaining its own properties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main difference between a mixture and a compound is that a compound can only be separated by chemical means, whereas a mixture can be separated into its individual components through physical methods. Compounds have a specific composition and distinct chemical and physical properties that differentiate them from other compounds and from the elements that form them. On the other hand, mixtures do not have chemical bonding among their constituents, and the substances within them retain their original properties. An example of a compound is sodium chloride (table salt), a well-defined chemical entity formed from sodium and chlorine with its own unique properties, unlike those of its elemental components. A mixture such as table salt mixed with ground pepper can be separated by physical methods like sorting, and each component maintains its individual characteristics.