Question

4. A/An ____________ (element/compound) is a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances through chemical methods.

Answer 1

Element:

• A pure substance made up of only one kind of atom is called an element.
• It cannot be broken down into simpler substances through chemical methods.
• Hydrogen$\left(\mathrm{H}\right)$, Carbon$\left(\mathrm{C}\right)$ , and Silver$\left(\mathrm{Ag}\right)$ are examples of elements.

Compound:

• A pure substance that consists of two or more elements chemically combined in a fixed ratio is called a compound.
• It can be broken down into simpler substances by chemical methods.
• Water$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$, common salt$\left(\mathrm{NaCl}\right)$ or Sodium chloride, and sugar$\left({\mathrm{C}}_{12}{\mathrm{H}}_{22}{\mathrm{O}}_{11}\right)$ or Sucrose are examples of compounds.

Therefore, an element is a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances through chemical methods.