What is the Difference between elements and compounds ?
What is the Difference between elements and compounds ?
Key Difference:
Elements are pure chemical substances that have one or one type of atom. Compounds are chemical substances that are formed from one or more elements, held together by chemical bonds. Meaning-
A compound contains atoms of different elements chemically combined together in a fixed ratio.
An element is a pure chemical substance made of same type of atom.
Distinguishing Feature-
Compounds contain different elements in a fixed ratio arranged in a defined manner through chemical bonds.
Elements are distinguished by their atomic number (number of protons in their nucleus).
Ability to Breakdown-
A compound can be separated into simpler substances by chemical methods/reactions.
Elements cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical reactions.
Types-
The list of compounds is endless.
There are about 117 elements that have been observed. Can be classified as metal, non-metal or metalloid.
Representation-
A compound is represented using a formula.
An element is represented using symbols.
Examples-
compound- Water (H2O), Sodium chloride (NaCl), Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) etc.
element- Iron, copper, silver, gold, nickel etc.
Elements are pure chemical substances that have one or one type of atom. Compounds are chemical substances that are formed from one or more elements, held together by chemical bonds.
Meaning-
A compound contains atoms of different elements chemically combined together in a fixed ratio.
An element is a pure chemical substance made of same type of atom.
Distinguishing Feature-
Compounds contain different elements in a fixed ratio arranged in a defined manner through chemical bonds.
Elements are distinguished by their atomic number (number of protons in their nucleus).
Ability to Breakdown-
A compound can be separated into simpler substances by chemical methods/reactions.
Elements cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical reactions.
Types-
The list of compounds is endless.
There are about 117 elements that have been observed. Can be classified as metal, non-metal or metalloid.
Representation-
A compound is represented using a formula.
An element is represented using symbols.
Examples-
compound- Water (H2O), Sodium chloride (NaCl), Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) etc.
element- Iron, copper, silver, gold, nickel etc.
