How four atoms, labeled $W, X, Y$, and $Z$, can combine with each other to form
Which combination of atoms will not form a compound?
W and X
X and Y
W and Z
Y and Z
Answer (2)
Oxygen and Hydrogen combine to form water ( H 2 O ).
Hydrogen and Carbon combine to form hydrocarbons like methane ( C H 4 ).
Oxygen and Oxygen combine to form diatomic oxygen ( O 2 ), which is an element.
Carbon and Oxygen combine to form carbon dioxide ( C O 2 ) or carbon monoxide ( CO ). The combination that does not form a compound is W an d Z .
Explanation
Problem Analysis We are given four atoms: W (oxygen), X (hydrogen), Y (carbon), and Z (oxygen). We need to determine which combination of these atoms will not form a compound.
Analyzing Combinations Let's analyze each option:
W and X (Oxygen and Hydrogen): These can combine to form water ( H 2 O ), which is a compound.
X and Y (Hydrogen and Carbon): These can combine to form hydrocarbons, such as methane ( C H 4 ), which are compounds.
W and Z (Oxygen and Oxygen): These are the same element. They combine to form diatomic oxygen ( O 2 ), which is an element, not a compound.
Y and Z (Carbon and Oxygen): These can combine to form carbon dioxide ( C O 2 ) or carbon monoxide ( CO ), which are compounds.
Conclusion Therefore, the combination of atoms that will not form a compound is W and Z (oxygen and oxygen), as they form the element diatomic oxygen ( O 2 ).
Examples
Understanding which atoms combine to form compounds is crucial in various real-world applications. For instance, in environmental science, knowing how carbon and oxygen form carbon dioxide ( C O 2 ) helps us understand greenhouse gas emissions. In chemistry, understanding how hydrogen and oxygen form water ( H 2 O ) is fundamental to understanding chemical reactions and the properties of solutions. In materials science, understanding how different elements combine allows us to create new materials with specific properties.
The combination that will not form a compound is W and Z, as they form the element diatomic oxygen (O₂), not a compound. Other combinations involving W, X, Y, and Z do create compounds. Therefore, the answer is W and Z.
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