Ch.1 - Introduction: Matter, Energy, and Measurement

Brown - Chemistry: The Central Science 15th Edition

Brown15th EditionChemistry: The Central ScienceISBN: 9780137542970Not the one you use?Change textbook

Brown 15th Edition

Ch.1 - Introduction: Matter, Energy, and Measurement

Problem 97a

Chapter 1, Problem 97a

Judge the following statements as true or false. If you believe a statement to be false, provide a corrected version. (a) Air and water are both elements.

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the definition of an element: An element is a pure substance consisting of only one type of atom, characterized by its atomic number.

Recognize that air is a mixture: Air is composed of various gases, primarily nitrogen (N_2) and oxygen (O_2), along with smaller amounts of other gases like argon (Ar) and carbon dioxide (CO_2).

Identify that water is a compound: Water (H_2O) is a chemical compound made up of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom.

Evaluate the statement about air: Since air is a mixture of different gases and not a single type of atom, it is not an element. Therefore, the statement 'Air is an element' is false.

Evaluate the statement about water: Since water is a compound made of hydrogen and oxygen atoms, it is not an element. Therefore, the statement 'Water is an element' is false.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.

Video duration:

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Elements vs. Compounds

Elements are pure substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. They consist of only one type of atom, such as oxygen (O) or hydrogen (H). Compounds, on the other hand, are substances formed when two or more elements chemically bond together, like water (H2O), which is made of hydrogen and oxygen.

Composition of Air

Air is a mixture of gases, primarily nitrogen (about 78%) and oxygen (about 21%), along with trace amounts of other gases like carbon dioxide and argon. Unlike elements, mixtures can be separated into their individual components without chemical reactions. Therefore, air is not an element but a complex mixture.

Water as a Compound

Water is classified as a compound because it consists of two hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to one oxygen atom (H2O). This chemical structure is distinct from elements, as it involves the combination of different types of atoms. Understanding this distinction is crucial for accurately categorizing substances in chemistry.

Recommended video:

Guided course

01:23

Reaction with Water

Related Practice

Textbook Question

Judge the following statements as true or false. If you believe a statement to be false, provide a corrected version. (b) All mixtures contain at least one element and one compound.

913

views

Textbook Question

Judge the following statements as true or false. If you believe a statement to be false, provide a corrected version. (d) Elements can exist in any of the three states of matter.

331

views

Textbook Question

Judge the following statements as true or false. If you believe a statement to be false, provide a corrected version. (c) Compounds can be decomposed into two or more other substances; elements cannot.

584

views

Textbook Question

A 32.65-g sample of a solid is placed in a flask. Toluene, in which the solid is insoluble, is added to the flask so that the total volume of solid and liquid together is 50.00 mL. The solid and toluene together weigh 58.58 g. The density of toluene at the temperature of the experiment is 0.864 g/mL. What is the density of the solid?

1168

views

Textbook Question

Automobile batteries contain sulfuric acid, which is commonly referred to as “battery acid.” Calculate the number of grams of sulfuric acid in 1.00 gal of battery acid if the solution has a density of 1.28 g/mL and is 38.1% sulfuric acid by mass.

views