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.
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.