Which term describes an element?

Study for the IGCSE Edexcel Chemistry Test. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which term describes an element?

Explanation:
An element is a pure substance made of only one kind of atom, so every sample of that element has the same type of atoms throughout and it cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical reactions. This purity is why the term describing such a substance is element. If you think of the other ideas: a mixture contains two or more substances not chemically bonded, so it isn’t pure; a compound is formed when two or more elements join together chemically in fixed proportions; a solution is a kind of homogeneous mixture where a solute dissolves in a solvent. These descriptions show why only an element fits the definition.

An element is a pure substance made of only one kind of atom, so every sample of that element has the same type of atoms throughout and it cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical reactions. This purity is why the term describing such a substance is element.

If you think of the other ideas: a mixture contains two or more substances not chemically bonded, so it isn’t pure; a compound is formed when two or more elements join together chemically in fixed proportions; a solution is a kind of homogeneous mixture where a solute dissolves in a solvent. These descriptions show why only an element fits the definition.

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