Question

a scientist has samples of both nitrogen (n₂) and hydrogen (h₂). both of these substances are odorless, colorless gases at room temperature. the scientist places the samples into a closed flask and heats the flask. a colorless gas that has a strong odor forms. which of these best describes what happened? a. a pure substance that is chemically identical to both nitrogen and oxygen formed b. a new compound formed when nitrogen and hydrogen chemically reacted c. a mixture formed when nitrogen and hydrogen combined d. a new element formed when oxygen and nitrogen atoms turned into new kinds of atoms

Explanation:

When nitrogen ($N_2$) and hydrogen ($H_2$) react under appropriate conditions like heating in a closed - flask, they undergo a chemical reaction to form a new compound. Nitrogen and hydrogen do not form a substance chemically identical to either nitrogen or oxygen (option A is wrong as oxygen is not involved in the initial reactants). They form a compound, not just a mixture (mixtures can be separated by physical means and do not involve a chemical reaction to form a new substance with different properties), and new elements are not formed in a chemical reaction as atoms are only rearranged, not transformed into new kinds of atoms.

Answer:

B. A new compound formed when nitrogen and hydrogen chemically reacted.