Final Answer:
a) Elements are composed of only one type of atom.
b) Compounds are composed of different types of atoms chemically bonded.
c) Mixtures can be separated into their individual components by physical means.
d) Atoms are the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.
Step-by-step explanation:
Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space. Elements, the fundamental substances that make up matter, consist of only one type of atom (a). Compounds, on the other hand, are composed of different types of atoms chemically bonded together (b). This chemical bonding involves the sharing or transfer of electrons, resulting in distinct chemical properties.
Mixtures (c), unlike compounds, are combinations of different substances that are not chemically bonded. Mixtures can be separated into their individual components by physical means, such as filtration, distillation, or chromatography. These separation methods take advantage of differences in physical properties like size, boiling point, or solubility.
Atoms (d) are the basic building blocks of matter and are the smallest unit of an element that retains its properties. While atoms can combine to form molecules in compounds, they remain the smallest unit of an element. The understanding of these concepts is crucial in chemistry, as it helps explain the diversity of matter and the principles governing its interactions.