Which term describes the process of two or more substances combining to form a homogeneous mixture?

The correct choice refers to the process of two or more substances combining to form a homogeneous mixture, which is known as dissolution. During dissolution, a solute (the substance being dissolved) interacts with a solvent (the substance doing the dissolving) to form a solution. This process typically results in a uniform distribution of the solute within the solvent, making it seem like one single phase, despite being composed of two different substances.

While the other terms like separation, solution formation, and solubilization may relate to processes involving mixtures and solutions, they do not accurately describe the specific action of a solute dispersing in a solvent to achieve that uniform mixture. Separation refers to the process of isolating components from a mixture, solution formation is a broader term that may not necessarily imply the specifics of the interaction occurring at the molecular level, and solubilization generally emphasizes the ability of a substance to become soluble, focusing more on conditions rather than the outcome of the mixing process. Thus, dissolution specifically captures the essence of substances combining to create a homogeneous mixture.