Final answer:
The correct statement about elements and compounds is that elements are pure substances that cannot be chemically broken down, while compounds are pure substances that can be chemically broken down into simpler substances. Elements consist of only one type of atom, while compounds consist of two or more different elements chemically combined.
Step-by-step explanation:
The accurate statement about elements and compounds among the given options is: D. Elements are pure substances that cannot be broken down chemically but compounds are pure substances that can be broken down chemically.
Elements are the simplest form of pure substances and are made up of only one type of atom. They cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. For instance, aluminum used in soda cans is composed of only aluminum atoms. In contrast, compounds are made up of two or more different elements that are chemically bonded together. Compounds, such as water (H2O), can be broken down into their elemental components through chemical reactions.
Elements are organized into the Periodic Table of the Elements, whereas compounds, due to their vast diversity, are not listed there. There are about 118 known elements, while the number of identified compounds is much greater, in the millions. Therefore, it's important to understand that while both elements and compounds are pure substances, their ability to be chemically broken down differentiates them, with only compounds being chemically decomposable into simpler elements.