Final answer:
The properties of a mixture are similar to the properties of its individual components, but the specific characteristics depend on the exact combination and proportion of substances mixed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The properties of a mixture can be similar to the properties of its components. A mixture combines substances in such a way that the individual components retain their own properties. For example, a homogeneous mixture, such as sugar dissolved in water, still exhibits the sweetness of sugar and the liquidity of water. However, the specific properties of the mixture (e.g., the degree of sweetness in sugar-water) can differ based on the ratio of the components.
In contrast, compounds have fixed, definite proportions and properties that are distinct from the substances that form them. So, while mixtures can have a variable composition and exhibit properties akin to their individual components, their overall characteristics depend on the exact combination and proportion of the substances mixed.