Which best describes a compound such as sodium chloride? a) a pure substance that can be separated into different elements by physical means b) a mixture of two common substances that can be separated by chemical means c) a mixture of two common elements that can be separated by physical means d) a pure substance that can be separated into different elements by chemical means.

d) a pure substance that can be separated into different elements by chemical means.

Explanation:

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Sodium chloride (NaCl) is a chemical compound composed by sodium and chlorine. They are chemically bonded through a ionic bond which means that the sodium transfers just one electron (valence electron) to the chlorine to form the bond. Now, if we want to separate them, we must induce a chemical process because bond breaking implies a chemical change, not physical. Thus, a typical way to separate them (break the bond) is via electrolysis in which an electric driving force induce the aforementioned breakdown.

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