Water as a Chemical Compound Steps: - Recall the chemical formula of water: H₂O, consisting of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. - Define key terms: An element is a pure substance like hydrogen (H) or oxygen (O); a compound is two or more elements chemically combined in fixed ratios. - Analyze water's composition: Hydrogen and oxygen are elements, but in water, they form a stable molecule via covalent bonds, not a physical mixture. - Classify: Since water is a pure substance with a fixed formula, it qualifies as a compound, not a mixture or element. Why A is correct: - Water (H₂O) is a compound because it consists of two different elements, hydrogen and oxygen, chemically bonded in a definite 2:1 ratio, as defined by chemical nomenclature. Why the others are wrong: - B: Water is not a mixture; mixtures involve physical blending without chemical bonding, like saltwater. - C: Water is not a mixture of elements; elements alone would be separate, like hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. - D: Water is not an element; elements cannot …