Ontario Grade 9 Science Class Practice Exam

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Master Grade 9 Science with our comprehensive practice exam. Test your knowledge, identify weak areas, and boost your confidence for academic success.

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What characteristic defines an element?

A mixture of several substances
A substance that can be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means
A pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler chemical substances
A compound made of two or more elements

The correct answer is: A pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler chemical substances

An element is defined as a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler chemical substances. This means that options A, B, and D are all incorrect. Option A describes a mixture, which is a combination of two or more substances that are not chemically combined. Option B describes a compound, which is a substance made of two or more elements that are chemically combined. Option D also describes a compound, but it specifies that the compound is made of two or more elements, which is not the case for all compounds. Therefore, the only option that accurately describes an element is option C, a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler chemical substances.