A molecule composed of one kind of atom and cannot be broken into simpler units by chemical reactions is called:

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Multiple Choice

A molecule composed of one kind of atom and cannot be broken into simpler units by chemical reactions is called:

Elements are pure substances that consist of only one kind of atom and cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical reactions. A molecule made of a single kind of atom—like O2 or N2—still behaves as an element because chemical changes cannot convert it into a different substance with different atoms. Compounds, in contrast, are built from two or more different elements and can be decomposed into those elements. Ions are charged species formed by gaining or losing electrons, which isn’t what this definition hinges on. Molecules simply refer to bonded atoms and can be either elements (like O2) or compounds (like H2O).

Elements are pure substances that consist of only one kind of atom and cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical reactions. A molecule made of a single kind of atom—like O2 or N2—still behaves as an element because chemical changes cannot convert it into a different substance with different atoms. Compounds, in contrast, are built from two or more different elements and can be decomposed into those elements. Ions are charged species formed by gaining or losing electrons, which isn’t what this definition hinges on. Molecules simply refer to bonded atoms and can be either elements (like O2) or compounds (like H2O).

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