Final answer:
Statement 1, describing a metal in Tube A that reacts with oxygen, is matched to Tube A. Statement 2, describing a colorless, odorless gas in Tube B, is matched to Tube B. The correct sorting is option (a), A: (a), B: (b).
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asked to sort statements pertaining to the contents of two glass test tubes, A and B. The first statement (a) describes Tube A as containing a metal that reacts with oxygen, which indicates a metal is present, and this reaction with oxygen is characteristic of a chemical property.
The second statement (b) describes Tube B as containing a colorless, odorless gas, which could refer to a variety of gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, or noble gases like argon or neon, all of which are known for being colorless and odorless, and these are physical properties.
Comparing these descriptions to the student's options, we can sort the statements as follows:
A: Statement 1: Tube A contains a metal that reacts with oxygen.
B: Statement 2: Tube B contains a colorless, odorless gas.
Therefore, the correct sorting of the statements is option (a), which is A: (a), B: (b).