Question

sulfur dioxide is a smelly, toxic gas. it is made of the elements sulfur and oxygen and cannot be physically separated. sulfur dioxide is represented by the chemical formula so₂. sulfur dioxide is a(n) ________. choose one option a element b compound c heterogeneous mixture d solution

Explanation:

• An element is a pure substance made of only one type of atom. Sulfur dioxide (\(SO_2\)) is made of two types of atoms (sulfur and oxygen), so it is not an element (eliminating option A).
• A compound is a pure substance formed when two or more elements chemically combine in a fixed ratio. \(SO_2\) is formed by the chemical combination of sulfur (S) and oxygen (O) in a ratio of 1:2.
• A heterogeneous mixture has visibly different substances or phases. \(SO_2\) is a pure substance (not a mixture), so option C is incorrect.
• A solution is a homogeneous mixture. Since \(SO_2\) is a pure substance (not a mixture), option D is incorrect.

Answer:

B. compound