My question has already been answered in parts at [Difference between state of matter and phase][1] But for deep and real understanding I have to ask for the difference between phase and a heterogenous mixture : Say we have a bowl made of glass. The bowl is filled with a few different solid rocks on the ground, water in the middle and some oil on top. I try to analyse this situation for understanding: - There is a phase of oil on the top - There is a phase of water in the middle - There is a phase of rocks on the ground - Since the rocks on the ground are not equally the same they are a bunch of single phases that do not mix up to each other - The rocks on the ground are also a heterogenous mixture - The air above the water is a phase of gas - The glass is a solid phase of silicon Is that correct? [1]: https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/questions/38325/difference-between-state-of-matter-and-phase