What is the term for a combination of two or more substances that are not chemically combined?

The term for a combination of two or more substances that are not chemically combined is "mixture." In a mixture, the individual components retain their own properties and can often be separated by physical means, such as filtration or evaporation. This differs from a solution, where one substance (the solute) is dissolved in another (the solvent), creating a homogeneous mixture.

In contrast to compounds, where elements are chemically bonded together in a fixed ratio resulting in new properties, a mixture does not involve such union and the substances present in it maintain their original characteristics. Alloys, being a specific type of mixture, involve two or more metals combined, but they are a subset of mixtures specifically related to metals rather than a general term.

Understanding this distinction is crucial, as it clarifies how different types of combinations behave and are classified in the field of chemistry, which is foundational knowledge for anyone studying for state board examinations in esthetics and related fields.