Crude oil may contain hundreds of different types of hydrocarbons. Some examples include:

- Butane [tex]$\left( C _4 H _{10}\right)$[/tex]
- Dodecane [tex]$\left( C _{12} H _{26}\right)$[/tex]
- Octane [tex]$\left( C _8 H _{18}\right)$[/tex]
- Benzene [tex]$\left( C _6 H _6\right)$[/tex]

Many common fuels, such as gasoline and kerosene, are combinations of these substances or others. When these fuels burn, they combine with oxygen [tex]$\left( O _2\right)$[/tex] to produce carbon dioxide [tex]$\left( CO _2\right)$[/tex] and water [tex]$\left( H _2 O \right)$[/tex].

Identify each of the highlighted materials as an element, a compound, or a mixture, and explain your reasoning.

[tex]$\square$[/tex]



Answer :

To understand whether crude oil and the listed hydrocarbons are elements, compounds, or mixtures, let's break down each component:

1. Crude oil:
- Classification: Mixture
- Reasoning: Crude oil is a complex mixture containing many different types of hydrocarbons and other substances. It is not a single substance with a fixed composition but rather a combination of multiple compounds.

2. Butane [tex]$\left( C_4H_{10} \right)$[/tex]:
- Classification: Compound
- Reasoning: Butane is made up of four carbon atoms and ten hydrogen atoms chemically bonded together in a definite ratio. It has a specific chemical formula, [tex]$C_4H_{10}$[/tex], indicating that it is a compound.

3. Dodecane [tex]$\left( C_{12}H_{26} \right)$[/tex]:
- Classification: Compound
- Reasoning: Dodecane consists of twelve carbon atoms and twenty-six hydrogen atoms bonded together in a specific ratio and arrangement, which makes it a compound with a definite chemical formula, [tex]$C_{12}H_{26}$[/tex].

4. Octane [tex]$\left( C_8H_{18} \right)$[/tex]:
- Classification: Compound
- Reasoning: Octane is composed of eight carbon atoms and eighteen hydrogen atoms bonded together in a specific fixed ratio, as represented by its chemical formula, [tex]$C_8H_{18}$[/tex]. Thus, it is classified as a compound.

5. Benzene [tex]$\left( C_6H_6 \right)$[/tex]:
- Classification: Compound
- Reasoning: Benzene consists of six carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms bonded together in a specific arrangement, represented by its chemical formula, [tex]$C_6H_6$[/tex]. This fixed ratio of atoms characterizes benzene as a compound.

Summary:
- Crude oil is a mixture because it contains numerous different hydrocarbons and other substances combined physically.
- Butane, dodecane, octane, and benzene are all compounds because they consist of elements chemically bonded in fixed proportions, each represented by a specific chemical formula.

[tex]$\square$[/tex]