Why is the mixture of salt and water heavier than cornstarch and water?

The mixture of salt and water is heavier than cornstarch and water because salt (sodium chloride) is a dense compound that dissolves in water, increasing the overall mass of the solution. In contrast, cornstarch, while it does add weight, does not dissolve in water and forms a suspension, resulting in a lower density compared to the saltwater solution. Therefore, the presence of dissolved salt contributes more to the total weight than the cornstarch does in suspension.