A centrifuge was used to separate a sample into its components. What conclusion about the sample can be formed based on the technique used?

Question

Group of answer choices

It was a compound.

It was a homogeneous mixture

It was a heterogeneous mixture.

It was a pure substance.

Answer 1

The use of a centrifuge to separate a sample into its components suggests that the sample was likely a heterogeneous mixture.

Centrifugation is a technique commonly used to separate components of a mixture based on their density differences. Heterogeneous mixtures consist of different substances or phases that can be separated physically, while homogeneous mixtures have a uniform composition throughout and cannot be easily separated in this manner. Thus, the conclusion that can be drawn is that the sample was a heterogeneous mixture.