Chapter 2, Problem 2.1P

What is the key difference between an element and a compound?

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:The key difference between element and compound should be compared.

Concept introduction:Elements are pure chemical substances composedof only one type of atom. Compoundsarecomposed of different types ofelements associated chemically in fixed proportions.

Explanation of Solution

Elements consists of a single type of atom of fixed atomic number. They are represented by the symbol of that atom. Elements cannot be dissociated by simple chemical methods. Elements can be classified broadly into two groups that isatomic elements and molecular elements.Examples of atomic elements are iron $\left(\text{Fe}\right)$ , copper $\left(\text{Cu}\right)$ , gold $\left(\text{Au}\right)$ , and examples of molecular elements are oxygen $\left({\text{O}}_{\text{2}}\right)$ , octasulfur $\left({\text{S}}_{\text{8}}\right)$ .

Compounds are substances that are composed of at least two or more than two elements bound chemically in fixed proportions. They are represented by their chemical compositions. Examples of compounds are water $\left({\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}\right)$ , common salt $\left(\text{NaCl}\right)$ , carbon dioxide $\left({\text{CO}}_{\text{2}}\right)$ . Compounds can be fragmented into its constituents by chemical methods.