In a lab setting, which activity involves combining reagents to produce a new compound?

• A. Distillation
• B. Filtration
• C. Synthesis
• D. Extraction

Answer: (C)

In lab chemistry, forming a new compound by combining reagents is called synthesis. Synthesis means joining reactants to create a product with new chemical bonds, which is exactly what the scenario describes. Distillation separates substances based on boiling points, so it’s about separating components rather than making something new. Filtration removes solids or separates phases without forming new chemistry. Extraction uses differences in solubility to move components between phases, again not building a new compound. So the activity that results in a new compound by combining reagents is synthesis.