Substances that can be decomposed into singular substances (elements) by chemical means are known as what?

Substances that can be decomposed into singular substances (elements) by chemical means are known as what?

• A. Elements
• B. Mixtures
• C. Compounds
• D. Solutions

Answer: (C)

Compounds are substances that can be broken down into elements by chemical change. This happens because compounds are formed when elements bond together in fixed proportions, and breaking those bonds through a chemical reaction yields the constituent elements. Elements themselves cannot be decomposed by chemical means. Mixtures are combinations of substances that can be separated by physical methods without changing the substances themselves, while solutions are homogeneous mixtures that can also be separated by physical processes. A classic example is water, which can be decomposed by electrolysis into hydrogen and oxygen, illustrating that it is a compound.

Compounds are substances that can be broken down into elements by chemical change. This happens because compounds are formed when elements bond together in fixed proportions, and breaking those bonds through a chemical reaction yields the constituent elements. Elements themselves cannot be decomposed by chemical means. Mixtures are combinations of substances that can be separated by physical methods without changing the substances themselves, while solutions are homogeneous mixtures that can also be separated by physical processes. A classic example is water, which can be decomposed by electrolysis into hydrogen and oxygen, illustrating that it is a compound.