The difference between an element and a compound lies in their composition and properties:
- Element : An element is a pure substance made up of only one type of atom. It cannot be chemically broken down into simpler substances. Each element has a unique atomic number (number of protons) and distinct properties. Examples include oxygen, carbon, and iron. Elements are represented by symbols and are listed on the periodic table
- Compound : A compound is a pure substance formed when two or more different elements are chemically bonded together in a fixed ratio. Compounds have a definite chemical formula and exhibit properties different from the elements they contain. For example, water (H₂O) is a compound made of hydrogen and oxygen atoms chemically combined in a 2:1 ratio. Compounds can only be separated into their constituent elements through chemical reactions, not physical means
In summary:
Feature| Element| Compound
---|---|---
Composition| Only one type of atom| Two or more different elements chemically
bonded
Chemical formula| Single element symbol| Fixed chemical formula (e.g., H₂O,
CO₂)
Properties| Unique to the element| Different from properties of constituent
elements
Separation| Cannot be broken down chemically| Can be broken down chemically
into elements
Examples| Oxygen (O), Iron (Fe), Carbon (C)| Water (H₂O), Carbon dioxide
(CO₂), Sodium chloride (NaCl)
This distinction highlights that elements are the fundamental building blocks of matter, while compounds are substances formed by the chemical combination of these elements
