Chapter 2, Problem 5A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:The difference in the properties of compound and its constituent elements needs to be explained.

Concept introduction:Compound is defined as anentity consists of two or more different elements which chemically combine in a fixed ratio by mass.A compound has new properties compared to its constituent elements.

An element is made up of same type of atom. They cannot be disintegrated into simpler entity by any chemical process.

Answer to Problem 5A

The properties of compounds (both physical and chemical) are very different from the properties of its constituent elements.

Explanation of Solution

For example, consider the case of water molecule. It consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. At room temperature, both hydrogen and oxygen are gases and they remain gases even at very low temperature. They are also colorless and odorless.

But wateris a liquid at temperature up to ${100}^{\circ }C$ and it freezes at $0^{\circ }C$ .This example shows that properties of constituent elements are different from the compound they make by combining with each other.

Conclusion

The properties of compounds (both physical and chemical) are very different from the properties of its constituent elements.