Question

Oxygen is an element, steam is a mixture and air is a compound.

• A. True
• B. False

Answer 1

The correct option is B False

Oxygen $\left(\mathrm{O}\right)$ is an element because it is made up of one type of particle which cannot be broken down into simpler substances.

• Element: An element is a pure substance that cannot be split into simpler substances.
• Example: Hydrogen$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\right)$, Copper $\left(\mathrm{Cu}\right)$ , etc.

Steam is a compound because it is a gaseous form of Water $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$ and water is a compound. In water, hydrogen and oxygen are chemically combined in a fixed ratio by mass and their properties are different than the elements i.e.; oxygen and hydrogen.

• Compound: A compound is a pure substance in which elements combine chemically in a fixed composition to give a compound.
• They can be broken down into elements that make up the compound by using chemical or electrochemical methods.
• The properties of the compound are entirely different from the elements from which it is formed.
• Example: Water$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$, Common salt i.e.; Sodium chloride $\left(\mathrm{NaCl}\right)$

Air is a mixture of various gases namely Oxygen $\left({\mathrm{O}}_2\right)$, Nitrogen $\left({\mathrm{N}}_2\right)$, Argon $\left(\mathrm{Ar}\right)$ , etc. The components of air can be separated into its components using a method of separation called fractional distillation.

• Mixture: When two or more substances (elements or compounds or an element and compound) are mixed in any proportion.
• The components of a mixture can be separated by physical methods of separation.
• Example: A mixture of Sand and Iron $\left(\mathrm{Fe}\right)$ can be separated by the use of a magnet (physical process) where Iron gets attracted to the magnet leaving behind the sand.

Therefore, the given statement is false.