Which statements accurately describe elements? Check all that apply. Elements are made up of two or more types of atoms. Elements are made up of only one type of atom. Each element has a unique chemical symbol. Elements can be identified by their atomic number. One element cannot be combined with another element.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
✅ Correct Statements:
- Elements are made up of only one type of atom.
- Each element has a unique chemical symbol.
- Elements can be identified by their atomic number.
❌ Incorrect Statements:
- Elements are made up of two or more types of atoms.
- One element cannot be combined with another element.
Explanation
Elements are the simplest pure substances in chemistry and are made up of only one type of atom. This means that all atoms in an element have the same number of protons in their nuclei. For example, all hydrogen atoms have one proton, and all oxygen atoms have eight protons. Therefore, the statement that “elements are made up of only one type of atom” is correct.
Each element is represented by a unique chemical symbol, typically one or two letters, derived from its English or Latin name. For instance, oxygen is represented by “O,” and sodium by “Na” (from the Latin word natrium). This symbol makes it easier to identify and work with elements in scientific communication and chemical equations.
Moreover, each element is identified by its atomic number, which is the number of protons in an atom’s nucleus. The atomic number distinguishes one element from another. For example, carbon has an atomic number of 6, and nitrogen has an atomic number of 7. Thus, this statement is also true.
The incorrect statements are based on misunderstandings. First, elements are not made up of two or more types of atoms—that describes compounds or mixtures, not elements. Second, elements can be combined with other elements to form compounds. For example, hydrogen and oxygen combine to form water (H₂O), which is a compound made from two different elements.
In conclusion, elements are fundamental substances made of one type of atom, each has a unique symbol and atomic number, and they can chemically combine with other elements to form new substances.
