Question

Which of the following substances is an element?

• A. Gold
• B. Sugar
• C. Water
• D. Snow

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Gold

Explanation for the correct option:

A) Gold

• Gold is an element with an atomic symbol $\mathrm{Au}$.
• An element is a substance that cannot be broken down into two or more simple substances by chemical methods involving the application of heat, light, or electrical energy. Hence, gold is an element that is not a chemical compound that can be further divided.

Explanation for incorrect options:

B) Sugar

• Sugar is not an element. Sugar $\left({\mathrm{C}}_{12}{\mathrm{H}}_{22}{\mathrm{O}}_{11}\right)$ is a compound formed from a combination of three atoms: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
• These three atoms are chemically bonded to form compounds in nature. Hence sugar is a compound, not an element.

C) Water

• Water is not an element. Water $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$ is a compound formed from a combination of two atoms: hydrogen, and oxygen.
• These two atoms are chemically bonded to form compounds in nature. Hence water is a compound, not an element.

D) Snow

• Snow is not an element. Snow is composed of individual ice crystals that grow while floating in the atmosphere, usually in clouds, then fall and accumulate on the ground, where they change further. Snow occurs when temperatures are below freezing (0 degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit) and the moisture in the air is minimal.

Hence, option (A) is correct. Gold is an element.