Question

imagine that you have a sample of a substance. you cannot physically separate the substance into components. you also cannot chemically separate that substance into components. which of the following are true about your sample? choose all that apply.
a. the sample is made up of one type of atom.
b. the sample is made up of multiple elements.
c. the sample is made up of a single element.
d. the sample is made up of several types of atoms.

Explanation:

A substance that cannot be physically separated into components and also cannot be chemically separated is an element. An element is made up of one type of atom. For example, gold (\(Au\)) is an element made up of only gold atoms. If it were made up of multiple elements (like a compound, e.g., \(H_2O\) which has \(H\) and \(O\) elements) it could be chemically separated. If it were a mixture (made of several types of atoms, e.g., a mixture of \(O_2\) and \(N_2\) gases) it could be physically separated.

Answer:

A. The sample is made up of one type of atom.