63.4k views
0 votes
Below is a list of some substances and their symbols.

Oxygen O
Sodium Chloride NaCl
Gold Au
Neon Ne
How many of these substances are an example of an element?

2 Answers

6 votes
Oxygen, O
Gold, Au
Neon, Ne
Are elements because you can find them in the periodic table.
User Jsa
by
4.0k points
3 votes

Answer:

3 of the 4 are elements

Step-by-step explanation:

An element can be found on the periodic table, and are only composed of one type of atom. For example, carbon is an element because you can find it on the periodic table. Fire isn't an element because you can't find it on the periodic table. A short-cut to see if something is an element is to look at the number of capital letters in the formula. If it only has one capital letter, it is an element. If it has two or more, it is a compound. This works because elements always have only one capitalized letter. For example, Ne has a capitalized N. O has a capitalized O. This only works if you are given the molecular formula and not the name, so looking at the periodic table is the best thing to do. Oxygen is an element, Sodium chloride is a compound, Gold is an element, and Neon is an element

User Satarra
by
4.1k points