Which of the following is not a compound?Methane, CH4Carbon dioxide, CO2Hydrogen, H2Water, H2O

Breakdown the Problem

1. Identify what constitutes a compound.
2. Analyze the chemical formulas provided.

Relevant Concepts

• A compound is a substance formed when two or more elements are chemically bonded together.
• Elements are pure substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances.

Analysis and Detail

1. Methane (CH₄): Composed of carbon and hydrogen (C and H) atoms, so it is a compound.
2. Carbon dioxide (CO₂): Composed of carbon and oxygen (C and O) atoms, so it is a compound.
3. Hydrogen (H₂): This is a diatomic molecule comprised of two hydrogen atoms, but it consists of only one element (hydrogen). Therefore, it is not a compound.
4. Water (H₂O): Made up of hydrogen and oxygen (H and O) atoms, so it is a compound.

Verify and Summarize

Among the substances listed, hydrogen (H₂) is the only one that is not a compound, as it does not consist of more than one different element.

Final Answer

Hydrogen, H₂, is not a compound.