Activity 1 Which are Elements? Which are Compounds? Directions: Inside the box are the substances that are found in the cabinet. Identify the elements and compounds by accomplishing the table below. | IRON | SODIUM CHLORIDE (SALT) | SULFUR | CARBON | |---|---|---|---| | MAGNESIUM RIBBON | SUGAR | OIL | BAKING SODA | | COPPER | ALUMINUM | DISTILLED WATER | CHLORINE | | ELEMENTS | COMPOUNDS | |---|---| | | |
Answer (1)
In this activity, you are asked to identify which substances are elements and which are compounds. To do this, it's important to understand the difference between the two.
Elements: These are pure substances that consist of only one type of atom. They cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. Examples of elements include:
IRON - A metallic element with the symbol Fe.
SULFUR - A non-metal element with the symbol S.
CARBON - An essential non-metal element with the symbol C.
MAGNESIUM RIBBON - Refers to magnesium in ribbon form, with the symbol Mg.
COPPER - A metal element with the symbol Cu.
ALUMINUM - A lightweight metal with the symbol Al.
CHLORINE - A halogen element with the symbol Cl.
Compounds: These are substances formed when two or more types of atoms are chemically bonded together. Compounds can be broken down into their elements by chemical reactions. Examples of compounds include:
SODIUM CHLORIDE (SALT) - A compound made of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl), with the formula NaCl.
SUGAR - A compound typically referring to sucrose, which contains carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O).
OIL - Although a general term, most oils are mixtures of compounds, primarily hydrocarbons.
BAKING SODA - Known chemically as sodium bicarbonate, with the formula NaHCO₃.
DISTILLED WATER - Although pure water is often treated as a compound H₂O, it is typically not characterized as an element.
By understanding these definitions, you can organize the substances in the following way:
ELEMENTS:
Iron
Sulfur
Carbon
Magnesium Ribbon
Copper
Aluminum
Chlorine
COMPOUNDS:
Sodium Chloride (Salt)
Sugar
Oil
Baking Soda
Distilled Water
Each of these classifications helps us understand the chemical nature and composition of the substances around us. Understanding the differences between elements and compounds is a fundamental aspect of chemistry.
