Question

Complete the following:

Lavoisier, a French chemist, on the basis of quantitative studies, classified substances into elements and compounds. He showed that when mercuric oxide is heated, it changes into …………… and ………………. .

Mercuric Oxide

Mercuric oxide is a compound because it decomposes into …………………. substances. But mercury and …………….. cannot be further decomposed into simpler substances hence they are ……………… .

Answer 1

Lavoisier, a French chemist, on the basis of quantitative studies, classified substances into elements and compounds. He showed that when mercuric oxide is heated, it changes into mercury and oxygen.

Mercuric Oxide

Mercuric oxide is a compound because it decomposes into two substances. But mercury and oxygen cannot be further decomposed into simpler substances hence they are elements.