Explain why , air is considered a mixture and not a compound.

Explanation

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Definition of Air**: Air is a combination of various gases, primarily nitrogen (about 78%), oxygen (about 21%), and small amounts of other gases like carbon dioxide, argon, and water vapor.

2. **Separation of Components**: One of the key reasons air is considered a mixture is that its components can be separated by physical processes. For example, air can be separated into its constituent gases through fractional distillation. This process does not involve any chemical change, which is a characteristic of mixtures.

3. **Properties of Components**: The individual gases in air retain their own properties. For example, oxygen supports combustion, nitrogen is inert, and carbon dioxide can turn lime water milky. This indicates that the components of air do not lose their individual characteristics when mixed.

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