Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the difference between elements and compounds?
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1. Intro to General Chemistry
Classification of Matter
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Which of the following best describes sodium chloride (NaCl)?
A
Ionic compound
B
Homogeneous mixture
C
Element
D
Covalent compound
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the nature of sodium chloride (NaCl). It is composed of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) atoms.
Step 2: Recall that sodium is a metal and chlorine is a nonmetal. When a metal reacts with a nonmetal, they typically form an ionic bond.
Step 3: Ionic compounds are formed by the transfer of electrons from the metal to the nonmetal, resulting in positively charged cations and negatively charged anions.
Step 4: Sodium chloride consists of Na⁺ cations and Cl⁻ anions held together by strong electrostatic forces, characteristic of ionic compounds.
Step 5: Therefore, sodium chloride is best described as an ionic compound, not a homogeneous mixture, element, or covalent compound.
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