Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 1: Problem 3

Which of the following is true about an individual atom? Explain. a. An individual atom should be considered to be a solid. b. An individual atom should be considered to be a liquid. c. An individual atom should be considered to be a gas. d. The state of the atom depends on which element it is. e. An individual atom cannot be considered to be a solid, liquid, or gas. Justify your choice, and for choices you did not pick, explain what is wrong with them.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The correct answer is statement e, as an individual atom cannot be considered a solid, liquid, or gas. These states of matter are properties of substances, dependent on the interaction and behavior of multiple atoms, rather than properties of individual atoms.

Step by step solution

01

Recognizing the states of matter

: Before evaluating each statement, it is essential to understand the three states of matter - solid, liquid, and gas. These states of matter are defined by the arrangement and behavior of particles (atoms or molecules) within the substance: - Solids: Atoms are closely packed in a regular pattern and vibrate in fixed positions. - Liquids: Atoms are less closely packed and constantly moving, allowing them to flow. - Gases: Atoms are widely separated and move freely in random directions. Now that we know the different states of matter, let's analyze each statement.
02

Statement a

: An individual atom should be considered to be a solid. This is not true because an atom by itself has no significant arrangement or pattern. The arrangement or behavior of atoms is only relevant when discussing a substance, not an individual atom.
03

Statement b

: An individual atom should be considered to be a liquid. This is also not true because an individual atom can't flow or take the shape of its container like a liquid. Liquids are defined by the behavior of their atoms, and an individual atom can't exhibit that behavior independently.
04

Statement c

: An individual atom should be considered to be a gas. This statement is also incorrect because an atom can't move freely in space or expand indefinitely to fill a volume like a gas. Again, the behavior of gases is determined by the interactions and behavior of their atoms, not by a single atom.
05

Statement d

: The state of the atom depends on which element it is. This statement is incorrect because atoms themselves do not have states of matter; these states are properties of a substance made up of many atoms interacting with each other. An individual atom of any element can't be classified as a solid, liquid, or gas.
06

Statement e

: An individual atom cannot be considered to be a solid, liquid, or gas. This statement is correct because an individual atom is not a substance and hence doesn't exhibit properties such as state of matter, which are dependent on the interaction and behavior of multiple atoms within that substance. An atom by itself cannot be classified as a solid, liquid, or gas as these states of matter are properties of substances, not of individual atoms. Conclusion: The correct answer is statement e. An individual atom cannot be considered to be a solid, liquid, or gas, as these states of matter are properties of substances and are dependent on the arrangement and behavior of multiple atoms.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Explain the fundamental steps of the scientific method. The scientific method is a dynamic process. What does this mean?

You may have noticed that when water boils, you can see bubbles that rise to the surface of the water. Which of the following is inside these bubbles? Explain. a. air b. hydrogen and oxygen gas c. oxygen gas d. water vapor e. carbon dioxide gas

For carbon-14 and carbon-12, how many protons and neutrons are in each nucleus? Assuming neutral atoms, how many electrons are present in an atom of carbon-14 and in an atom of carbon- \(12 ?\)

What is the symbol of an ion with 16 protons, 18 neutrons, and 18 electrons? What is the symbol for an ion that has 16 protons, 16 neutrons, and 18 electrons?

The three most stable oxides of carbon are carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide \(\left(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\right),\) and carbon suboxide \(\left(\mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{O}_{2}\right) .\) The molecules can be represented as Explain how these molecules illustrate the law of multiple proportions.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Kinetics

Read Explanation

Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Read Explanation

Chemistry Branches

Read Explanation

Chemical Analysis

Read Explanation

The Earths Atmosphere

Read Explanation

Organic Chemistry

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free