Chapter 17, Problem 16RQ

To determine

The difference between an atom and an element

Answer to Problem 16RQ

Atom is the basic constituent of all the materials. The material which consists of only one type of atoms is called an element.

Explanation of Solution

Atom is a spherical entity and is the basic constituent of matter. For example, water is a substance which consists of two types of atoms- hydrogen atom and oxygen atom. Some substances consist of only one type of atoms and those substances are called elements. For example a piece of pure iron consists of only iron atoms and iron is an element.

Conclusion:

Therefore, when all the atoms in a material is same, the material is called an element.