Two chemical substances X and Y combine together to form a product P which contains both X and Y
X+Y→P
X and Y cannot be broken down into simpler substances by simple chemical reactions. Which of the following statements concerning X, Y and P are correct ?
(i) P is a compound (ii) X and Y are compounds
(iii) X and Y are elements (iv) P has a fixed composition
(a) (i), (ii) and (iii) (b) (i) , (ii) and (iv)
(c) (ii), (iii) and (iv) (d) (i), (iii) and (iv)
Answer: (d). (i), (iii) and (iv).
In this reaction, X and Y can not be broken down into simpler substances by chemical reactions, therefore, X and Y are elements.
A compound is a substance made up of two or more elements chemically combined in a fixed proportion by mass, therefore,P is a compound, having a fixed composition.