Question

two elements (a and b) are combined in two different ways to form two different substances, x and y. the resulting substances have the characteristics shown in the table.

substance x	substance y

what can be concluded from the table?

• substance x is a compound, and substance y is a mixture.
• substance x is a mixture, and substance y is a compound.
• substances x and y are mixtures.
• substances x and y are compounds.

Explanation:

To solve this, we recall the definitions: A mixture is a combination of substances where each retains its properties (like mixing salt and pepper—both keep their properties). A compound is a substance formed by a chemical bond where the elements lose their individual properties (like H₂O, where H and O lose their elemental properties).

• Substance X: A and B retain properties → so X is a mixture.
• Substance Y: A and B lose properties → so Y is a compound.

Now check the options:

• First option: X as compound (wrong, since compounds lose properties) and Y as mixture (wrong, mixtures retain properties) → incorrect.
• Second option: X is mixture (correct, retains properties), Y is compound (correct, loses properties) → matches.
• Third option: Both mixtures? Y loses properties, so not a mixture → incorrect.
• Fourth option: Both compounds? X retains properties, so not a compound → incorrect.

Answer:

B. Substance X is a mixture, and Substance Y is a compound.