Question

How compounds are classified?

Answer 1

Definition of compound: A compound is a pure substance which is made up of two or more elements chemically combined in a fixed proportion by mass.

Classification of Compounds:

1. Classification of Compounds Based on Their Properties.
2. Classification of Compounds Based on The Source.

1. Classification of Compounds Based on Their Properties:

Compounds can be divided into three classes based on their properties namely,

1. Acids
2. Bases
3. Salts

i) Acids: Sulphuric acid$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$, hydrochloric acid$\left(\mathrm{HCl}\right)$, and Nitric acid$\left({\mathrm{HNO}}_3\right)$ are three common acids.

ii) Bases: Sodium hydroxide$\left(\mathrm{NaOH}\right)$, potassium hydroxide$\left(\mathrm{KOH}\right)$, and calcium hydroxide$\left(\mathrm{Ca}{\left(\mathrm{OH}\right)}_2\right)$ are common bases.

iii) Salts: Sodium chloride$\left(\mathrm{NaCl}\right)$, calcium nitrate$\left(\mathrm{Ca}{\left({\mathrm{NO}}_3\right)}_2\right)$, and Zinc sulphate$\left({\mathrm{ZnSO}}_4\right)$ are common salts.

2. Classification of Compounds Based on The Source:

Generally, compounds can be classified into two types based on the source namely,

1. Organic compounds
2. Inorganic compounds

i) Organic compounds: The compounds which are obtained from living beings such as plants and animals are called organic compounds. All organic compounds contain carbon as their essential constituent. Thus, these compounds are also called carbon compounds. They include Methane$\left({\mathrm{CH}}_4\right)$, Ethane$\left({\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_6\right)$, Propane$\left({\mathrm{C}}_3{\mathrm{H}}_8\right)$, etc.

ii) Inorganic compounds: The compounds which are obtained from non-living sources such as rocks and minerals are called inorganic compounds. They include common Salt, Marble, Carbon dioxide$\left({\mathrm{CO}}_2\right)$, Ammonia$\left({\mathrm{NH}}_3\right)$, Sulphuric acid$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$, Washing soda[Sodium carbonate$\left({\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{CO}}_3\right)$], etc.