Which of the following is an element

It is represented by the symbol C in the periodic table and is one of the fundamental building blocks of matter.

Why the Others Are Not Elements

1. Water (H₂O):
   Water is a compound, not an element. It is made up of two hydrogen atoms chemically bonded to one oxygen atom.
2. CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide):
   Carbon dioxide is also a compound consisting of one carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms.
3. Salt (Sodium Chloride, NaCl):
   Salt is a compound formed by the chemical combination of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) atoms.

Why Carbon Is an Element

An element is a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. Carbon fits this definition because it exists as a single type of atom and cannot be divided into anything simpler while retaining its identity.