Barber Practice State Board Practice Exam

An element is a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances through chemical reactions. Each element is made up of only one type of atom, which gives it specific properties that distinguish it from other elements. This means that it cannot undergo any chemical change to yield anything simpler—its atomic structure remains intact. In contrast, mixtures can be physically separated into their component substances, while compounds can be chemically decomposed into simpler substances (which are elements). Alloys, being a mixture of metals or a mixture of a metal with other elements, can also be separated into their components through various methods. Therefore, the defining characteristic of an element is its inability to be reduced to anything simpler, making it unique in the context of chemistry.