2006-12-13 09:31:31 · 3 answers · asked by guttaboi931 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Well, elements are the simplest structures of substances.
You can't break a substance down further than the elemental stage through ordinary means of reaction, heat, reduction, and so forth. Some molecules are single atoms, while others are multiple atoms, but in either case, all the atoms in the molecule are identical
Compounds are composed of elements, and while some of them are very resistant to further breakdown, it is theoretically possible to break them down into their elementary parts -- elements.
Let's take two very common substances, oxygen and Carbon Dioxide. One your body takes in through your lungs, the other one, it expels through your lungs. Oxygen is an element. An oxygen molecule consists of 2 Oxygen atoms (normally) and is always written as O2 for that reason. It is called a "diatomic molecule" -- 2 atoms in the molecule. Carbon Dioxide, is a compound, it consists of one carbon atom, and 2 oxygen atoms, and is always written as CO2.
2006-12-13 09:42:50 · answer #1 · answered by glassnegman 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Compounds are made of elements, elements are pure compounds. LOL!
Well it's seems a joke but it's true, with the word compound you can think about everything, from a pure simple element to the most complicated organic-inorganic molecule.
2006-12-13 09:37:51 · answer #2 · answered by scientific_boy3434 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Elements are "elementary" (As in "Elementary, my dear Watson") - therefore, they are atoms.
Compounds are more complex ("compounding", or "confounding", the issue!) - they are mixtures of different atoms.
2006-12-13 09:36:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋