Q12 E - Chemistry (OpenStax)

Question

How does an element differ from a compound? How are they similar?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The difference between an element and a compound is that an element is a substance made of the same type of atoms, whereas a compound is made of different elements in definite proportions. 

Elements and compounds are similar in that they are both made of atoms and in some cases molecules.

Describing the differences between the element and compound

Element – 

• Elements are those substances that are not broken into simple constituents by any chemical process.
• An atom is considered to be the smallest constituent of an element.
• These are combined to form the compound/s by any chemical reaction.

Compound –

• Compounds are those substances that can be divided to form the elements or other compounds by any chemical process.
• A molecule is the smallest constituent of the compound.
• These are combined to form the larger compound/s by any chemical reaction.

Describing the similarities between the element and compound

• These are pure substances of matter.
• The composition is the same in the element and compound.
• They are found in nature.
• They are made up of atoms.

 

Ex., Iron(Fe), Silver(Ag), and boron(B) are the elements and Sodium chloride(NaCl) and water(H₂O) are the compounds.