Question

the table shows the percentages of hydrocarbons that are found in a sample of crude oil.

hydrocarbons	percentage
naphthenes	30
aromatics	15
asphaltenes	15

based on the given information, what is the best classification for this sample of crude oil?

• an element
• a pure compound
• a pure substance
• a mixture

Explanation:

An element consists of only one type of atom. A pure compound has a fixed - ratio of elements. A pure substance is either an element or a compound. Here, the sample of crude oil contains different hydrocarbons (paraffins, naphthenes, aromatics, asphaltenes) in different percentages. A mixture is a combination of two or more substances that are not chemically combined and can be present in varying proportions. Since crude oil has multiple hydrocarbons in different amounts, it is a mixture.

Answer:

a mixture