Compounds are pure substances because they are made up of only one type of molecule and have a uniform and definite composition throughout. For example, every molecule of water (H2O) is identical, consisting of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom chemically bonded together. This fixed composition results in consistent physical and chemical properties, like a specific boiling point and density.
Mixtures are not pure substances because they consist of two or more substances that are physically blended, not chemically bonded. The components of a mixture retain their individual properties and can be present in varying proportions. For example, air is a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and other gases, and the amount of each gas can vary.