why is oxygen gas (two oxygen atoms bonded together) an element and not a compound?
2007-02-23 05:52:33 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
"A chemical element, or element for short, is a pure substance that cannot be decomposed into any simpler substance. Said another way, an "element" cannot be transformed into other chemical substances by chemical processes."
from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_element
Now, atoms of an element are usually combined with other atoms of the same element (with the exception of noble gases, He, Ne, Ar, etc). The way the atoms are combined with others gives the substance its physical properties. For example, coal is made of the element carbon, and so is graphite, and diamond. Even though they are the chemically the same element, they have very different physical properties. This is just because the atoms are arranged in a different way.
I hope this helps.
2007-02-23 06:27:48 · answer #1 · answered by Scientist13905 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not a compound because compounds require two or more elements in molecular combination (ionic or covalent bonding). The oxygen molecule is composed of two atoms of the element oxygen in a covalent bond, and it is the common form of the element oxygen.
2007-02-23 09:24:41 · answer #2 · answered by Amphibolite 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it is considered an element because it is "pure." 2 oxygen atoms are bonded. A compound is where 2 or more different atoms are bonded
2007-02-23 06:21:13 · answer #3 · answered by L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let me sum this up simply, A compound is still an element but it is made up of two or more DIFFERENT elements, whereas an element is made of any number of atoms (excluding 0!) as long as it is the SAME type of atom.
2007-02-23 07:53:36 · answer #4 · answered by Tyler™ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An element consists of only one kind of atom whereas a compound consists of atoms of two or more different elements.
2007-02-23 06:05:31 · answer #5 · answered by lata 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
'cause its two of the SAME atoms bonded together:
h-h is element
o-o os element
h-h-o is compound
2007-02-23 06:00:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
sure i understand the ingredient which you attempt to make me understand in an comprehensible way that's fairly un comprehensible yet nonetheless comprehensible which makes me to declare UNDERSTOOD..
2016-12-14 04:02:27 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HO HO HO
Merry Christmas!
2007-02-23 07:01:11 · answer #8 · answered by Junk 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
donno
2007-02-23 05:59:51 · answer #9 · answered by Zerro 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋