Element vs. Compound — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 1, 2024
Elements consist of only one type of atom, while compounds are made of two or more elements chemically combined in fixed ratios.
Difference Between Element and Compound
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Elements are pure substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. Each element is characterized by a unique type of atom, distinguished by its atomic number, which is the number of protons in its nucleus. Compounds, on the other hand, are substances formed when two or more elements are chemically bonded together in a fixed ratio, resulting in properties that differ from those of the individual elements.
While elements are the basic building blocks of matter, compounds are more complex structures that result from the chemical combination of these building blocks. For example, oxygen (O) is an element that consists of O atoms, whereas water (H2O) is a compound made from hydrogen and oxygen elements in a 2:1 ratio. This distinction highlights the simplicity of elements and the complexity of compounds.
The properties of an element are uniform throughout because they are made of the same type of atoms. Compounds exhibit properties that are unique and often significantly different from the elements that constitute them. For instance, sodium is a highly reactive metal, and chlorine is a poisonous gas, but combined as sodium chloride (NaCl), they form table salt, which is safe for consumption and has entirely different properties.
In terms of classification, elements are organized into the periodic table based on their atomic numbers and properties, such as metals, non-metals, and metalloids. Compounds, however, are classified based on the types of chemical bonds that hold their atoms together, such as ionic, covalent, or metallic compounds.
Elements can exist in various forms, including atoms and molecules (e.g., O2, which is molecular oxygen), but they remain the same element. Compounds require a chemical reaction for formation and another chemical reaction for separation into their constituent elements, indicating a more complex chemical behavior compared to elements.
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Comparison Chart
Composition
One type of atom
Two or more different elements chemically combined
Breakdown
Cannot be broken down into simpler substances
Can be broken down into simpler substances (elements)
Properties
Uniform throughout
Different from its constituent elements
Example
Oxygen (O)
Water (H2O)
Classification
Periodic table (metals, non-metals, metalloids)
Type of chemical bonds (ionic, covalent, metallic)
Compare with Definitions
Element
A pure substance consisting of only one type of atom.
Gold (Au) is an element used in jewelry and electronics.
Compound
Has properties different from its constituent elements.
Water (H2O) is liquid at room temperature, unlike its gaseous elements.
Element
Classified into metals, non-metals, and metalloids.
Silicon (Si) is a metalloid with properties of both metals and non-metals.
Compound
A substance made of two or more different elements chemically combined.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a compound formed from carbon and oxygen.
Element
Found on the periodic table, organized by atomic number.
Hydrogen (H) is the first element on the periodic table.
Compound
Classified based on the types of bonds (ionic, covalent, metallic).
Sodium chloride (NaCl) is an ionic compound.
Element
Cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.
Helium (He) is an inert element used in balloons.
Compound
Can be broken down into simpler substances (elements) through chemical reactions.
Electrolysis can break down water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Element
Can exist as atoms or molecules.
O2 is a molecule consisting of two oxygen atoms bonded together.
Compound
Formation requires a chemical reaction between elements.
Combining sodium and chlorine gas forms table salt, NaCl.
Element
A fundamental, essential, or irreducible constituent of a composite entity.
Compound
To combine so as to form a whole; mix
Tin was often compounded with lead to make pewter.
Element
Elements The basic assumptions or principles of a subject.
Compound
To produce or create by combining two or more ingredients or parts; compose or make up
Pharmacists compounding prescriptions.
Element
A member of a set.
Compound
To settle (a debt, for example) by agreeing on an amount less than the claim; adjust.
Element
A point, line, or plane.
Compound
To compute (interest) on the principal and accrued interest.
Element
A part of a geometric configuration, such as an angle in a triangle.
Compound
To add to or intensify so as to make worse
"The university authorities ... compounded their crime in dismissing [the professor] by denying that their action ... reflected any abridgment of academic freedom" (John Kenneth Galbraith).
Element
The generatrix of a geometric figure.
Compound
To make worse by being an additional or intensifying factor
High winds compounded the difficulties of the firefighters.
Element
Any of the terms in the rectangular array of terms that constitute a matrix or determinant.
Compound
To combine in or form a compound.
Element
Chemistry & Physics A substance composed of atoms having an identical number of protons in each nucleus. Elements cannot be reduced to simpler substances by normal chemical means. See Periodic Table.
Compound
To come to terms; agree.
Element
One of four substances, earth, air, fire, or water, formerly regarded as a fundamental constituent of the universe.
Compound
Consisting of two or more substances, ingredients, elements, or parts.
Element
(Electricity)The resistance wire in an electrical appliance such as a heater or an oven.
Compound
(Botany) Composed of more than one part
A compound pistil.
Element
Elements The forces that constitute the weather, especially severe or inclement weather:outside paint that had been damaged by the elements.
Compound
A combination of two or more elements or parts.
Element
An environment naturally suited to or associated with an individual:He is in his element when traveling. The business world is her element.
Compound
(Linguistics) A word that consists either of two or more elements that are independent words, such as loudspeaker, self-portrait, or high school, or of specially modified combining forms of words, such as Greek philosophia, from philo-, "loving," and sophia, "wisdom."
Element
A distinct group within a larger community:the dissident element on campus.
Compound
(Chemistry) A pure, macroscopically homogeneous substance consisting of atoms or ions of two or more different elements in definite proportions that cannot be separated by physical means. A compound usually has properties unlike those of its constituent elements.
Element
A ground unit in an air force comparable to a platoon.
Compound
A building or buildings, especially a residence or group of residences, set off and enclosed by a barrier.
Element
A unit of an air force equal to two or three aircraft.
Compound
An enclosed area used for confining prisoners of war.
Element
Elements The bread and wine of the Eucharist.
Compound
An enclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined.
Element
One of the simplest or essential parts or principles of which anything consists, or upon which the constitution or fundamental powers of anything are based.
Letters are the elements of written language.
Compound
An enclosure for secure storage.
Element
(chemistry) Any one of the simplest chemical substances that cannot be decomposed in a chemical reaction or by any chemical means and made up of atoms all having the same number of protons.
Compound
A group of buildings situated close together, e.g. for a school or block of offices.
Element
One of the four basic building blocks of matter in theories of ancient philosophers and alchemists: water, earth, fire, and air.
Compound
Anything made by combining several things.
Element
A basic, simple substance out of which something is made, raw material.
Compound
(chemistry) A substance formed by chemical bonding of two or more elements in definite proportions by weight.
Element
(legal) A required aspect or component of a cause of action. A deed is regarded as a violation of law only if each element can be proved.
Compound
A substance made from any combination of ingredients.
Element
(set theory) One of the objects in a set.
Compound
(linguistics) A lexeme that consists of more than one stem.
Element
(mathematics) One of the entries of a matrix.
Compound
(linguistics) A lexeme that consists of more than one stem or an affix, e.g. bookshop, high school or non-standard.
Element
Any of the teeth of a zip fastener.
Compound
(rail) A compound locomotive, a steam locomotive with both high-pressure and low-pressure cylinders.
Element
A small part of the whole.
An element of the picture
Compound
Composed of elements; not simple.
A compound word
Element
A small but present amount of a quality, a hint.
An element of doubt
Compound
(math) Dealing with numbers of various denominations of quantity, or with processes more complex than the simple process.
Compound addition
Compound proportion
Element
A factor, one of the conditions contributing to a result.
Compound
(music) An octave higher than originally (i.e. a compound major second is equivalent to a major ninth).
Element
(obsolete) The sky.
Compound
(transitive) To form (a resulting mixture) by combining different elements, ingredients, or parts; to mingle with something else.
To compound a medicine
Element
(obsolete) Any one of the heavenly spheres believed to carry the celestial bodies.
Compound
To settle by agreeing on less than the claim, or on different terms than those stipulated.
To compound a debt
Element
Atmospheric forces such as strong winds and rains.
Exposed to the elements
Compound
(transitive) To settle amicably; to adjust by agreement.
Element
A place or state of being that an individual or object is best suited to.
To be in one's element
Compound
(intransitive) To come to terms of agreement; to settle by a compromise.
To compound with someone / for something
Element
The bread and wine taken at Holy Communion.
Compound
To compose; to constitute.
Element
A group of people within a larger group having a particular common characteristic.
You sometimes find the hooligan element at football matches.
Compound
To increase in value with interest, where the interest is earned on both the principal sum and prior earned interest.
Element
(in the plural only) The basic principles of a field of knowledge, basics, fundamentals, rudiments.
Compound
To worsen a situation.
Element
A component in electrical equipment, often in the form of a coil, having a high resistance, thereby generating heat when a current is passed through it.
The element in this electric kettle can heat the water in under a minute.
Compound
Of a horse: to fail to maintain speed.
Element
(mathematics) An infinitesimal interval of a quantity, a differential.
The element of area in Cartesian coordinates is dx dy.
Compound
In the East Indies, an inclosure containing a house, outbuildings, etc.
Element
(astronomy) An orbital element; one of the parameters needed to uniquely specify a particular orbit.
Compound
That which is compounded or formed by the union or mixture of elements ingredients, or parts; a combination of simples; a compound word; the result of composition.
Rare compound of oddity, frolic, and fun.
When the word "bishopric" was first made, it was made as a compound.
Element
(computing) One of the conceptual objects in a markup language, usually represented in text by tags.
Compound
A union of two or more ingredients in definite proportions by weight, so combined as to form a distinct substance; as, water is a compound of oxygen and hydrogen.
Element
(obsolete) To compound of elements.
Compound
To form or make by combining different elements, ingredients, or parts; as, to compound a medicine.
Incapacitating him from successfully compounding a tale of this sort.
Element
(obsolete) To constitute and be the elements of.
Compound
To put together, as elements, ingredients, or parts, in order to form a whole; to combine, mix, or unite.
We have the power of altering and compounding those images into all the varieties of picture.
Element
One of the simplest or essential parts or principles of which anything consists, or upon which the constitution or fundamental powers of anything are based.
Compound
To modify or change by combination with some other thing or part; to mingle with something else.
Only compound me with forgotten dust.
Element
One of the ultimate, undecomposable constituents of any kind of matter. Specifically: (Chem.) A substance which cannot be decomposed into different kinds of matter by any means at present employed; as, the elements of water are oxygen and hydrogen.
Compound
To compose; to constitute.
His pomp and all what state compounds.
Element
One of the ultimate parts which are variously combined in anything; as, letters are the elements of written language; hence, also, a simple portion of that which is complex, as a shaft, lever, wheel, or any simple part in a machine; one of the essential ingredients of any mixture; a constituent part; as, quartz, feldspar, and mica are the elements of granite.
The simplicity which is so large an element in a noble nature was laughed to scorn.
Compound
To settle amicably; to adjust by agreement; to compromise; to discharge from obligation upon terms different from those which were stipulated; as, to compound a debt.
I pray, my lords, let me compound this strife.
Element
One out of several parts combined in a system of aggregation, when each is of the nature of the whole; as, a single cell is an element of the honeycomb.
Compound
To effect a composition; to come to terms of agreement; to agree; to settle by a compromise; - usually followed by with before the person participating, and for before the thing compounded or the consideration.
Here's a fellow will help you to-morrow; . . . compound with him by the year.
They were at last glad to compound for his bare commitment to the Tower.
Cornwall compounded to furnish ten oxen after Michaelmas for thirty pounds.
Compound for sins they are inclined toBy damning those they have no mind to.
Element
One of the simplest essential parts, more commonly called cells, of which animal and vegetable organisms, or their tissues and organs, are composed.
Compound
Composed of two or more elements, ingredients, parts; produced by the union of several ingredients, parts, or things; composite; as, a compound word.
Compound substances are made up of two or more simple substances.
Element
An infinitesimal part of anything of the same nature as the entire magnitude considered; as, in a solid an element may be the infinitesimal portion between any two planes that are separated an indefinitely small distance. In the calculus, element is sometimes used as synonymous with differential.
Compound
(chemistry) a substance formed by chemical union of two or more elements or ingredients in definite proportion by weight
Element
One of the necessary data or values upon which a system of calculations depends, or general conclusions are based; as, the elements of a planet's orbit.
Compound
A whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts
Element
The simplest or fundamental principles of any system in philosophy, science, or art; rudiments; as, the elements of geometry, or of music.
Compound
An enclosure of residences and other building (especially in the Orient)
Element
Any outline or sketch, regarded as containing the fundamental ideas or features of the thing in question; as, the elements of a plan.
Compound
Make more intense, stronger, or more marked;
The efforts were intensified
Her rudeness intensified his dislike for her
Potsmokers claim it heightens their awareness
This event only deepened my convictions
Element
The conditions and movements of the air.
Compound
Put or add together;
Combine resources
Element
The whole material composing the world.
The elements shall melt with fervent heat.
Compound
Calculate principal and interest
Element
The bread and wine used in the eucharist or Lord's supper.
Compound
Create by mixing or combining
Element
To compound of elements or first principles.
Compound
Combine so as to form a whole; mix;
Compound the ingredients
Element
To constitute; to make up with elements.
His very soul was elemented of nothing but sadness.
Compound
Of leaf shapes; of leaves composed of several similar parts or lobes
Element
An abstract part of something;
Jealousy was a component of his character
Two constituents of a musical composition are melody and harmony
The grammatical elements of a sentence
A key factor in her success
Humor: an effective ingredient of a speech
Compound
Consisting of two or more substances or ingredients or elements or parts;
Soap is a compound substance
Housetop is a compound word
A blackberry is a compound fruit
Element
Any of the more than 100 known substances (of which 92 occur naturally) that cannot be separated into simpler substances and that singly or in combination constitute all matter
Compound
Composed of many distinct individuals united to form a whole or colony;
Coral is a colonial organism
Element
An artifact that is one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up; especially a part that can be separated from or attached to a system;
Spare components for cars
A component or constituent element of a system
Element
One of four substances thought in ancient and medieval cosmology to constitute the physical universe;
The alchemists believed that there were four elements
Element
The most favorable environment for a plant or animal;
Water is the element of fishes
Element
The situation in which you are happiest and most effective;
In your element
Element
A straight line that generates a cylinder or cone
Common Curiosities
Can elements be converted into compounds?
Yes, elements can be converted into compounds through chemical reactions that bond them together in fixed ratios.
How do elements differ from compounds?
Elements are made of single types of atoms and cannot be chemically broken down into simpler substances, while compounds consist of two or more elements chemically combined, with properties different from those elements.
What are some examples of elements and compounds?
Examples of elements include hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O), while water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are examples of compounds.
What is a compound?
A compound is a substance made of two or more different elements that are chemically combined in a fixed ratio.
What is an element?
An element is a pure substance that consists of only one type of atom and cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.
Why do compounds have different properties from their constituent elements?
Compounds have different properties because the chemical bonding of elements in specific ratios changes their physical and chemical characteristics.
How are compounds classified?
Compounds are classified based on the types of chemical bonds between their atoms, such as ionic, covalent, or metallic bonds.
Can compounds be broken down into their constituent elements?
Yes, compounds can be broken down into their constituent elements through chemical reactions.
How are elements classified?
Elements are classified into metals, non-metals, and metalloids based on their properties and are organized in the periodic table by atomic number.
What role do elements and compounds play in chemistry?
Elements are the basic building blocks of matter, while compounds, formed from elements, make up the vast majority of substances in the universe, each playing crucial roles in chemical processes and reactions.
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Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
