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Question

Difference between Organic and inorganic materials. Name some inorganic and organic material.

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Solution

Difference between Organic and inorganic materials.

Key difference: The commonly accepted guideline is that organic compounds are generally compounds that nearly always contain carbon-hydrogen bonds, while everything else that does not is classified as inorganic compounds. There are some exceptions to this rule. Mainly, the division of organic and inorganic compounds depends on a set of properties defining each set.


Essentially, a compound is a type of molecule. A molecule can be made up of two or more atoms of the same element or two or more atoms of different elements. However, compounds are molecules that are made up of atoms of different element.

A molecule is the smallest amount of a chemical substance that can exist. Such as the smallest amount of water one can have is a molecule of water or H20. It is made of up different atoms together; hence it can be separated back into the different atoms.

Compounds are divided into two main categories: organic compounds and inorganic compounds. However, the problem arises as over the years the definition as to what constitutes an organic compound and an inorganic compound has differed significantly. Even now, there is no definite description of what fits in which category.

The commonly accepted guideline is that organic compounds are generally compounds that nearly always contain carbon-hydrogen bonds, while everything else that does not is classified as inorganic compounds. There are some exceptions to this rule. Mainly, the division of organic and inorganic compounds depends on a set of properties defining each set.

Examples of Organic Compounds or Molecules

Molecules associated with living organisms are organic. These include nucleic acids, fats, sugars, proteins, enzymes and hydrocarbon fuels. All organic molecules contain carbon, nearly all contain hydrogen, and many also contain oxygen.

  • DNA
  • table sugar or sucrose, C12H22O11
  • benzene, C6H6
  • methane, CH4
  • ethanol or grain alcohol, C2H6O
Examples of Inorganic Compounds

Inorganics include salts, metals, substances made from single elements and any other compounds that don't contain carbon bonded to hydrogen. Some inorganic molecules do, in fact, contain carbon.

  • table salt or sodium chloride, NaCl
  • carbon dioxide, CO2
  • diamond (pure carbon)
  • silver
  • sulfur

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