Questions: Which choice is an element? potassium salad water sugar

Transcript text: Which choice is an element? potassium salad water sugar

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Understanding the Definition of an Element

An element is a pure chemical substance consisting of one type of atom, distinguished by its atomic number, which is the number of protons in its nucleus. Elements cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.

Step 2: Analyzing Each Option

Potassium: Potassium is a chemical element with the symbol K and atomic number 19. It is a pure substance made of only one type of atom.
Salad: Salad is a mixture of various ingredients, such as vegetables and dressings, and is not a pure substance.
Water: Water is a compound made of hydrogen and oxygen atoms (H\(_2\)O), not a single element.
Sugar: Sugar, such as sucrose, is a compound made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, not a single element.

Step 3: Identifying the Element

Among the given options, potassium is the only one that is a pure chemical element.