Elements vs. Compounds

Front

What is an element?

Back

An element is a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. It consists of only one type of atom.

Front

What is a compound?

Back

A compound is a substance formed when two or more different elements are chemically bonded together.

Front

How can you identify an element from a compound?

Back

An element is represented by a single capital letter or a capital letter followed by a lowercase letter (e.g., H for hydrogen, O for oxygen), while a compound is represented by two or more capital letters (e.g., CO for carbon monoxide).

Front

What is the difference between a molecule and a compound?

Back

A molecule is a group of two or more atoms bonded together, which can be of the same or different elements. A compound specifically refers to a molecule that contains at least two different elements.

Front

How many elements are in the compound H2O?

Back

There are 2 different elements in the compound H2O: hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O).

Front

What does it mean for elements to bond together?

Back

When elements bond together, they form chemical bonds (ionic or covalent) that hold the atoms together in a compound.

Front

Is CO an element or a compound?

Back

CO is a compound, consisting of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom.

Front

Is Co an element or a compound?

Back

Co is an element, specifically cobalt.

Front

What is the significance of subscripts in chemical formulas?

Back

Subscripts indicate the number of atoms of each element in a compound. For example, in H2O, the '2' indicates there are two hydrogen atoms.

Front

Can a compound be broken down into simpler substances?

Back

Yes, compounds can be broken down into their constituent elements through chemical reactions.