Differentiate atoms, molecules, elements, and compounds
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Middle School Physical Science › Differentiate atoms, molecules, elements, and compounds
In the image, each circle represents an atom. Each different color of atom represents a different type of atom, and if two atoms are touching they are bonded together.
Given this information, this image represents:
an element
a molecule
a compound
a mixture
Explanation
The answer is “an element.” This image is an element because there is only one kind of atom present. Even though the atoms are bonded in molecules, there is still only one kind of atom in the image. Therefore, it could not be a compound or a mixture.
A molecule is:
a bonded group of two or more atoms of any type
a bonded group of two or more atoms of the same type
an group of atoms of the same type that are not bonded together
a group of different types of atoms that are not bonded together
Explanation
A molecule is defined as a group of any two atoms. When looking at a substance, this classification can be combined with element, compound, or mixture, but not with "an atom." So you can have a molecule of an element, a molecule of a compound, or several molecules of different varieties which create a mixture.
"NaCl" is the chemical symbol for salt. Salt is an example of:
a compound
an element
an atom
none of the above
Explanation
Salt is a compound because it has more than one type of element. Na is the chemical symbol for Sodium. and Cl is the chemical symbol for Chlorine. These elements are bonded together to form a compound, Sodium Chloride.
In the image, each circle represents an atom. Each different color of atom represents a different type of atom, and if two atoms are touching they are bonded together.
Given this information, this image represents:
an element
a molecule
a compound
a mixture
Explanation
The answer is “an element.” This image is an element because there is only one kind of atom present.
A mixture is:
a group of similar atoms
a group of at least two different atoms or molecules that are not combined chemically
a group of at least two different atoms or molecules that are combined chemically
a group of the same type of molecule
Explanation
A mixture is a group of different atoms or molecules. Mixtures contain several elements that are not bonded together.
In the image, each circle represents an atom. Each different color of atom represents a different type of atom, and if two atoms are touching they are bonded together
Given this information, this image represents:
a compound
an element
a molecule
a mixture
Explanation
The answer is “a compound.” Compounds are groups of atoms of two or more elements. The image cannot be a single element because there is more than one type of atom present. The image cannot be a mixture because there is only one kind of molecule present. The image cannot be a single molecule because each group of atoms is a molecule.
In the image, each circle represents an atom. Each different color of atom represents a different type of atom, and if two atoms are touching they are bonded together.
Given this information, this image represents:
a mixture
a molecule
a compound
an element
Explanation
The answer is “a mixture.” In this image we can see at least two types of atoms, so we know there is more than one element. The molecules in this image come in at least two varieties, so there must be at least two different compounds - meaning that this is a mixture.
"H" or "Hydrogen" is an example of:
an element
a compound
a mixture
all of the above
Explanation
Hydrogen is an element with the atomic number 1. You can find Hydrogen on the periodic table.
Carla is working on a science project using several different household materials. She has a bowl of sugar, a glass of milk, a handful of rocks, and a few coins. While she is not looking, her younger sister pours all of her materials into a a bowl together and stirs them up. The sugar dissolves in the milk, but everything else stays the same. What did Carla's sister create?
A mixture
The sugar and milk make a new chemical, but the rest is a mixture
The milk and the sugar make a mixture, but the rest is a new element
A new chemical made of all the materials
Explanation
Carla's sister made a mixture because these items are different compounds and will not combine chemically. Even though the sugar dissolves into the milk, the solution is not the result of a chemical reaction.
An element is:
a group of atoms of the same type
a group of atoms of different types
a single molecule of two different kinds of atoms
more than one kind of molecule
Explanation
A molecule is defined as a group of a the same kind of atom. When looking at a substance, this classification can be combined with either atoms or molecules. So you can have either an atom of an element, or molecule of an element- as long as there is only one type of atom present. If there is more than one kind of atom present, then you have either a compound, or a mixture.