Washington Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

How can matter be primarily classified?

1. Solids, liquids, and gases

2. Elements, compounds, and mixtures

3. Organic and inorganic substances

4. Pure substances and solutions

The correct answer is: Elements, compounds, and mixtures

Matter can be primarily classified into elements, compounds, and mixtures because this classification captures the fundamental composition and structure of different types of matter. Elements are pure substances made up of only one type of atom, which cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. Compounds consist of two or more elements that are chemically combined in fixed ratios, and can be broken down into their constituent elements through chemical reactions. Mixtures, on the other hand, are combinations of two or more substances that retain their individual properties and can be separated through physical means. This classification is critical for understanding chemical reactions and properties, as it delineates the nature and behavior of substances in both pure forms and when they are combined. While other classifications, such as solids, liquids, and gases, are important for describing the states of matter, they do not provide insight into the chemical composition and structure. Similarly, differentiating between organic and inorganic substances or pure substances and solutions entails subsets of elements, compounds, and mixtures, but does not serve as the primary means of classifying all matter.