What is the difference between an element and a compound?

Answer 1

Matter can be better defined by separating it into its simplest parts. Since the atom is the basic unit of matter, we will start there. A group of similar atoms is called an element. Here are some elemental facts. An element cannot be separated into simpler substances by physical or chemical means.
There are slightly more than 100 known elements. (listed on the periodic table)
The periodic table organizes elements by their properties.
Can be represented by a one or two letter abbreviation. (C,H,O,N,P,Na,Cl,Al,Ca)


Aggregates (combinations) of elements can form compounds. Its important to know that compounds are pure substances. (A compound of H2O contains nothing but H2O.) Here are some facts regarding compounds. Compounds form during chemical reactions. (2H2 + O2 = 2H2O)
Compounds can be separated into their elements by chemical means. (2H2O = 2H2 + O2)
The symbols used to describe compounds describe the exact amount of atoms on the compound. (C6H12O6)
Cannot be separated by physical means.

VR

Answer 2

In chemistry, a compound is a substance that results from a combination of two or more different chemical elements, in such a way that the atoms of the different elements are held together by chemical bonds that are difficult to break. These bonds form as a result of the sharing or exchange of electrons among the atoms. The smallest unbreakable unit of a compound is called a molecule.
A compound differs from a mixture, in which bonding among the atoms of the constituent substances does not occur. In some situations, different elements react with each other when they are mixed, forming bonds among the atoms and thereby producing molecules of a compound. In other scenarios, different elements can be mixed and no reaction occurs, so the elements retain their individual identities. Sometimes, when elements are mixed, the reaction occurs slowly (as when iron is exposed to oxygen); in other cases it takes place rapidly (as when lithium is exposed to oxygen). Sometimes, when an element is exposed to a compound, a reaction occurs in which new compounds are formed (as when pure elemental sodium is immersed in liquid water).

Often, a compound looks and behaves nothing like any of the elements that comprise it. Consider, for example, hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O). Both of these elements are gases at room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure. But when they combine into the familiar compound known as water, each molecule of which contains two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom (H2O), the resulting substance is a liquid at room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure.

The atoms of a few elements do not readily bond with other elements to form compounds. These are called noble or inert gases: helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon. Certain elements readily combine with other elements to form compounds. Examples are oxygen, chlorine, and fluorine.

As an adjective, compound is the quality of being composed of multiple parts. Examples of this usage include compound eye (found in various insects), compound microscope (a high-power magnifying instrument consisting of more than one lens), compound sentence (a sentence that is a conjunction or disjunction of smaller sentences), and compound document, an organized collection of user interfaces that form a single integrated perceptual environment.

chemical element, often called simply an element, is a substance that cannot be decomposed or transformed into other chemical substances by ordinary chemical processes. All matter consists of these elements and as of 2006, 117 unique elements have been discovered or artificially created. The smallest particle of such an element is an atom, which (except in the case of the simplest and most common element hydrogen) consists of multiple electrons centered about a nucleus composed of protons and neutrons.

Answer 3

The Universe began with a big fizzle of pure energy appearing. Some of that energy formed tiny bundles of photons that zoom in waves. Two or three photons can come together and form particles, (electrons, neutrons and protons). We call those particles "matter" and we measure mass by the number of those particles. Particles don't zoom. They just shimmer in place. Particles can come together and form families called atoms. Atoms can come together and form molecular elements. Elements are different from each other based on the number of electrons, nuetrons and protons. Elements can come together and form compounds and compounds can come together to form organic compounds. Organic compounds can come together into life forms capable of consciousness and possessing senses. All "matter", including you and I, are made of photons. When photons untangle from each other, they zoom away again in waves. We call photons that are zooming = Energy. We call photons that are tangled up = "Matter" or "Potential energy". Matter can change into energy and energy can change back into matter. That's what Einstein's formula E=MC2 means.

Here is a picture that we recently made of the actual beginning of the Universe when all of that energy or light first appeared:
http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pwb/03/0217

And, here is an actual radio recording of the static noise of the "Big Fizzle":
http://encarta.msn.com/media_461543080_1741502444_-1_1/The_Sound_of_the_Big_Bang.html

Answer 4

Element - made up of ONE kind of ATOM. Element cannot become smaller.

Compound - made up of 2 or more atoms

Answer 5

Compounds have properties which would be thoroughly unique from the constituent ingredient. a sparkling substance is formed. representation, water. It consists of Hydrogen, which will grab fire and Oxygen which helps fire. If water have been a mixture, it would desire to help fire and now not extinguish. even nevertheless as you already be attentive to, it extinguishes fire. Compounds is additionally made best with a mounted share of aspects. yet mixtures might additionally be made with any proportions of any aspects. mixtures are additionally formed by way of any formed technique like evaporation, condensation. even nevertheless Compounds will additionally be formed in basic terms by chemical reaction.

Answer 6

a compound is more than 1 element together...i think...like h2o

Answer 7

and element is a single substance, eg. Na (sodium).
a compound is a couple of elements put together, eg. NaCl (table salt).

Answer 8

As simple as this...Element: cannot be broken down into a simpler form
Compound: group of elements that of course can be broken down into simpler forms.