Which of the following best describes the substances that make up an iron pot?

• A. Pure iron (Fe)
• B. A mixture of iron and copper
• C. A solution of iron in water
• D. A compound of iron and oxygen (Fe2O3)

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the difference between pure substances, mixtures, solutions, and compounds. Pure substances consist of only one type of atom or molecule, mixtures contain two or more substances physically combined, solutions are homogeneous mixtures, and compounds are substances formed by chemical bonding of different elements.
2. Identify the composition of an iron pot. An iron pot is typically made of pure iron metal, meaning it consists mostly of iron atoms arranged in a metallic structure without other elements chemically bonded or mixed in significant amounts.
3. Evaluate the options: 'A mixture of iron and copper' implies two metals physically combined, which is not typical for a standard iron pot; 'A solution of iron in water' is incorrect because iron does not dissolve in water to form a solution in this context; 'A compound of iron and oxygen (Fe2O3)' refers to rust, which is a chemical compound formed by iron reacting with oxygen, not the material of the pot itself.
4. Conclude that the best description of the substances making up an iron pot is 'Pure iron (Fe)' because the pot is primarily composed of elemental iron metal.
5. Summarize that understanding the nature of materials and their chemical composition helps distinguish between pure elements, mixtures, solutions, and compounds in real-world objects.