What can a drop of liquid mercury be described as? A. A pure substance and a compound B. An impure substance that is reactive C. An impure substance that is unreactive D.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is A. A pure substance and a compound.
Explanation:
Mercury (Hg) is a chemical element that appears as a shiny, silvery liquid at room temperature. It is unique among metals as it is the only one that is liquid under normal conditions. To understand why mercury can be described as a pure substance and a compound, we need to look at its definition and properties.
- Pure Substance: A pure substance consists of a single type of particle and has consistent properties throughout. Mercury qualifies as a pure substance because it is composed entirely of mercury atoms. This means that it does not contain any other elements or compounds mixed with it.
- Element vs. Compound: Mercury is an element, which means it cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. However, the question describes it as a “compound,” which could lead to some confusion. In chemistry, a compound is formed when two or more elements are chemically bonded together in a fixed ratio. Since mercury itself is not a compound in the traditional sense (it is an element), the term “compound” in the answer choice may be misleading. It’s crucial to distinguish that while mercury can combine with other elements to form compounds (like mercury oxide), a drop of liquid mercury itself is simply elemental mercury.
- Reactivity: Mercury is generally considered to be unreactive under normal conditions. It does not easily combine with other elements and forms compounds only under specific conditions. This stability contributes to its classification as a pure substance.
In summary, a drop of liquid mercury is indeed a pure substance, consisting of only mercury atoms. The reference to it being a compound may not be appropriate in this context, as mercury itself does not fit the definition of a compound, but rather it is a unique element with specific physical and chemical properties.