Chapter 1: Problem 77

A chemist in the nineteenth century prepared an unknown substance. In general, do you think it would be more difficult to prove that it is an element or a compound? Explain.

Short Answer

Expert verified

It would have been more difficult to prove that an unknown substance is an element in the nineteenth century due to the lack of advanced technology and sophisticated methods needed to carry out exhaustive tests to ensure that no decomposition is possible.

Step by step solution

Understanding Elements and Compounds

An element is a substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by any chemical means. On the other hand, a compound is a substance that is made up of two or more different elements that are combined chemically. Thus, if the unknown substance was an element, it would mean that it could not be decomposed into simpler substances, while if it was a compound, it could be broken down into its constituent elements.

Analyzing nineteenth century knowledge about Elements and Compounds

In the nineteenth century, a number of methods were available to chemists to distinguish between elements and compounds. However, these methods were not as advanced or reliable as modern techniques. They involved processes such as heat treatment to see if a substance could be broken down into simpler substances, observational evidence, and primitive spectroscopy.

Conclusion

Given the state of knowledge and technology during the nineteenth century, it would have been more challenging to prove that a substance was an element rather than a compound. This is because proving that something cannot be decomposed into simpler substances (i.e., it's an element) would require exhaustive testing and more sophisticated methods to ensure that no decomposition is possible, which would have been difficult with the techniques available during that time.

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A chemist in the nineteenth century prepared an unknown substance. In general, do you think it would be more difficult to prove that it is an element or a compound? Explain.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding Elements and Compounds

Analyzing nineteenth century knowledge about Elements and Compounds

Conclusion

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