Water, H₂O, is made up of different elements, hydrogen and oxygen. Is this type of combination a mixture or a pure substance?
Answer Options:
- A. Because water is composed of two separate elements, it is a mixture.
- B. Because water can be heated and fairly easily turned to steam, it is a mixture.
- C. Because water is composed of elements found in the periodic table, it is a pure substance.
- D. Because water molecules all have a consistent ratio of hydrogen to oxygen, it is a pure substance.
Correct Answer: D. Because water molecules all have a consistent ratio of hydrogen to oxygen, it is a pure substance.
Explanation: Water is a pure substance because it is a compound, meaning it consists of a fixed ratio of hydrogen (H) to oxygen (O) atoms, chemically bonded together. This consistent ratio distinguishes it from mixtures, where the composition can vary.