Is F2 and atom or a molecule and is it a pure element or a compound?
a. Atom, Compound
b. Molecule: Compound
c. Molecule, Pure element
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is: c. Molecule, Pure element
Explanation:
Fluorine (F2) is a molecule because it consists of two fluorine atoms chemically bonded together. A molecule is defined as two or more atoms bonded together, which can be of the same or different elements. Since the two atoms of fluorine are of the same element, F2 is specifically a diatomic molecule.
Fluorine (F2) is also a pure element because it is made up of only one type of atom: fluorine. A pure element consists of only one kind of atom, and fluorine, in this case, is not chemically combined with any other element. It remains a single substance, composed entirely of fluorine atoms.
To clarify the options:
- Option a (Atom, Compound): This is incorrect because F2 is a molecule, not a single atom, and it is not a compound since a compound consists of different elements combined together.
- Option b (Molecule, Compound): This is also incorrect because while F2 is a molecule, it is not a compound. Compounds involve two or more different elements, and F2 is made up only of fluorine atoms.
- Option c (Molecule, Pure element): This is the correct answer because F2 is a molecule made of two fluorine atoms and is a pure element as it contains only fluorine atoms.
Therefore, F2 qualifies as a molecule and a pure element, as it only contains atoms of one type: fluorine.