Question

An atom of oxygen can exist independently.

• A. True
• B. False

Answer 1

The correct option is B False

Atom: An atom is the smallest unit of an element that has all the properties of the element.

• It consists of sub-atomic particles, i.e., protons, neutrons, and electrons.
• For example, an Oxygen atom $\left(\mathrm{O}\right)$.

Molecule: A molecule is formed when two or more atoms of the same element or different elements are combined together in whole numbers. For example, Oxygen gas$\left({\mathrm{O}}_2\right)$.

• Atoms of noble gases like Argon $\left(\mathrm{Ar}\right)$ and Helium $\left(\mathrm{He}\right)$, that have a stable electron configuration, i.e. octet or duplet can exist independently.
• Other atoms like oxygen cannot exist independently as they do not have stable electron configurations. So, they bond with other atoms to form molecules$\left({\mathrm{O}}_2\right)$.

Thus, the given statement is False.