Elemental analysis of a white crystalline solid from two independent sources gave…
CHEMISTRY · Single correct · CBSE · Chemistry · Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry · Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry
Problem
Elemental analysis of a white crystalline solid from two independent sources gave identical mass percentages: 52.2 % C, 13.0 % H, and 34.8 % O by mass. Which conclusion is most strongly supported by these data?
(a) The solid must be a pure element since its composition is constant.
(b) No conclusion can be drawn; different pure substances can coincidentally share the same percent composition.
(c) The solid is a pure compound because different samples share the same fixed elemental composition.
(d) The solid is a homogeneous mixture because a mixture can exist in a fixed mass ratio.