Question

some elements can only exist in pairs. one example is oxygen, which is written as o₂. is this an example of a compound? why or why not?

Explanation:

A compound is made of two or more different elements chemically combined. \(O_2\) has only oxygen atoms.

Answer:

No, \(O_2\) is not a compound. A compound requires two or more different elements. \(O_2\) has only oxygen atoms (one type of element), so it is an element (a diatomic molecule of the element oxygen).