Which statement best describes the chemical properties of a compound compared to the elements from which it is composed?

• A. A compound's chemical properties are a simple mixture of the properties of its elements.
• B. A compound has chemical properties that are usually very different from those of its constituent elements.
• C. A compound always has the same chemical properties as its constituent elements.
• D. A compound's chemical properties are identical to the most reactive element in the compound.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that a compound is formed when two or more elements chemically combine in fixed proportions, resulting in a substance with new properties.
2. Recall that chemical properties describe how a substance reacts chemically, including reactivity, bonding behavior, and other characteristics.
3. Recognize that when elements form a compound, their atoms interact and rearrange to create new chemical bonds, which changes the overall chemical behavior.
4. Compare the chemical properties of the compound to those of the individual elements, noting that the compound's properties are not just a simple sum or mixture of the elements' properties.
5. Conclude that the chemical properties of a compound are usually very different from those of its constituent elements because the compound is a new substance with unique chemical characteristics.