Two chemical species X and Y combine together to form a product P which contains both X and Y X + Y → P X and Y cannot be broken down into simpler substances by simple chemical reactions. Which of the following concerning the species X, Y and P are correct? (i) P is a compound. (ii) X and Y are compounds. (iii) X and Y are elements. (iv) P has a fixed composition.

Question

Two chemical species X and Y combine together to form a product P which contains both X and Y X + Y &#x2192; P X and Y cannot be broken down into simpler substances by simple chemical reactions. Which of the following concerning the species X, Y and P are correct? (i) P is a compound. (ii) X and Y are compounds. (iii) X and Y are elements. (iv) P has a fixed composition.

Philoid · Accepted Answer

In this reaction, X and Y are elements as they cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical reactions.

P is a compound as it is made up of two or more elements that combine in a fixed proportion. Thus P has a fixed composition.