Part B

Question

Which statement comparing the relationship between elements and compounds to molecules is true?
A.
A molecule can be composed of two or more atoms of the same element, like O2
, or atoms of more than one element, like all compounds.
B.
A molecule is only composed of two or more different elements, like all compounds, but two atoms of the same element cannot form a molecule.
C.
A molecule is the simplest form of matter and is the building block of both elements and compounds.
D.
A molecule is composed of two or more atoms of the same element, like O2
, but atoms of more than one type of element cannot form a molecule.

Answer 1

The correct statement is:

A. A molecule can be composed of two or more atoms of the same element, like O₂, or atoms of more than one element, like all compounds.

This statement accurately reflects that molecules can be either homonuclear (consisting of the same type of atom) or heteronuclear (consisting of different types of atoms), which is characteristic of both elements (like O₂) and compounds (like H₂O).