Question

during an experiment, iron powder and sulfur powder were mixed thoroughly and placed on a filter paper. when a magnet was moved below the filter paper, the iron filings stood up vertically as they were attracted by the magnet. the sulfur powder showed no change in position. which of the following correctly justifies the observation? iron and sulfur formed a compound, therefore they lost their individual properties. iron and sulfur formed a compound, therefore they retained their individual properties. iron powder and sulfur powder combined physically, therefore they lost their individual properties. iron powder and sulfur powder combined physically, therefore they retained their individual properties.

Explanation:

1. Analyze the experiment: Iron powder and sulfur powder are mixed. When a magnet is brought near, iron filings (from the iron powder) are attracted (showing iron's magnetic property), and sulfur shows no change (retaining its non - magnetic property).
2. Recall the difference between physical and chemical combination: In a physical mixture, the components retain their individual properties. In a chemical compound, the components lose their individual properties.
3. Evaluate each option:

• Option 1: Says they formed a compound and lost properties, but in the experiment, iron still shows magnetic property, so this is wrong.
• Option 2: Says they formed a compound and retained properties, but compounds don't retain individual properties, so this is wrong.
• Option 3: Says they combined physically and lost properties, but physical mixtures retain properties, so this is wrong.
• Option 4: Says they combined physically (mixing is a physical process) and therefore retained their individual properties (iron is magnetic, sulfur is not, and in the mixture, iron still shows magnetism, sulfur still doesn't, so they retain their properties), which matches the experiment.

Answer:

Iron powder and sulfur powder combined physically, therefore they retained their individual properties.