Difference between elements and compounds is one the most common questions in several chemistry exams. Students are required to be thorough with the elements and compounds to be able to easily understand them. Here, the difference between element and compound in tabular form is given for easy understanding.
Before checking the differences between compounds and elements, it is crucial to know what they are and to learn about their in-depth concepts. Visit Elements And Compounds to learn all the underlying concepts in a more detailed and easy way.
Difference Between Element and Compound
| Sl. No. | Differentiating Property | Element | Compound |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Definition | Elements are pure substances which are composed of only one type of atom. | Compound are substances which are formed by two or more different types of elements that are united chemically in fixed proportions. |
| 2 | Total Numbers | There are nearly 118 elements (at present) of which nearly 94 occur naturally on Earth. | Compounds are almost endless. |
| 3 | Types | Elements are classified as either metals, nonmetals or metalloids. | Compounds are classified according to their bonds which can be ionic, molecular or metallic. |
| 4 | Examples | Some of the examples of elements are Iron, Copper, Gold, etc. | A few examples of compounds are NaOH, NaCl, etc. |
| 5 | Representation | Elements are represented by symbols and numbers. For example, Sodium is represented by Na. | Compounds are represented by their chemical formula. For example, salt is represented by the formula NaCl. |
| 6 | Distinguished By | Elements can be distinguished by their atomic number. | Distinguished by their fixed ratio of different elements (arranged in a defined manner). |
| 7 | Composition and Property | As only one type of atoms makes up an element, all the properties of that atom are represented by its atom. | In the case of compounds, the same type of molecules makes up the compound. |
| 8 | Ability to Breakdown | Elements cannot be broken down by chemical reactions. | Compounds can be easily separated into simpler substances by chemical reactions. |
These were a few main differences between element and compound. These element and compound differences in tabular form can help the students to easily understand the underlying concepts and students can easily retain the points for longer.
Students are suggested to check the related articles given below which covered other important and similar topics. These additional articles can help to understand the detailed concepts of matter, its classifications and other related details.
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Stay tuned with BYJU’S for more such chemistry differences and other important articles.
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