• Engineering and Architecture
  • Management and Business Administration
  • Medicine and Allied Sciences
  • Law
  • Animation and Design
  • Media, Mass Communication and Journalism
  • Finance & Accounts
  • Computer Application and IT
  • Pharmacy
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Competition
  • School
  • Study Abroad
  • Arts, Commerce & Sciences
  • Learn
  • Online Courses and Certifications
Difference Between Element and Compound - Definition, Example, FAQs

Difference Between Element and Compound - Definition, Example, FAQs

Team Careers360Updated on 02 Jul 2025, 04:56 PM IST

In this article we will understand the difference between element and compound and learn how to differentiate between elements and compounds. We need to first understand the definition of element and compound, before we start to differentiate between element and compound.

This Story also Contains

  1. Element
  2. Compound
  3. Difference between element and compound with example

Element

An element can be said to be a substance that consists of only one type of atom. An example is that of the carbon atom. Another example can be hydrogen atoms which have a single proton as well as a single electron in their outermost orbitals. Whenever there is a change in the number of protons of an atom, the type of element changes like in nuclear reactions. An element is a substance in which the atoms have the same atomic number or same number of protons. Consequently, this means that the atoms of an element have the same number of electrons. We cannot break down elements which in turn makes elements the simplest substance.

An element is a substance in which the atoms have the same atomic number or same number of protons. Consequently, this means that the atoms of an element have the same number of electrons.

Also read -

It is obvious that all the atoms of an element must have the same number of protons, although their number of neutrons can differ from element to element or even atom to atom. Which means masses of atoms of a certain element can differ as mass of an atom is the sum of the number of protons and number of neutrons. Such elements with the same number of protons (atomic number) but different numbers of neutrons (mass number) are called isotopes.

For example isotopes of hydrogen are protium ( with atomic number one and mass number one), deuterium (with atomic number one and mass number two),Tritium (with atomic number one and mass number 3), isotopes of carbon, isotopes of phosphorus, isotopes of nitrogen etc. A component refers to a small portion of a larger entity that may or may not contribute to the larger entity’s properties. An element is made up of certain atoms with certain atomic numbers. This is the key difference between elements and components.

periodic table showing all 118 elements arranged by their atomic numbers

There are 118 elements in total. Some examples of elements are:

  • The W element is tungsten.

  • The C element is carbon.

  • B element is boron.

Also Read:

NEET Highest Scoring Chapters & Topics
This ebook serves as a valuable study guide for NEET exams, specifically designed to assist students in light of recent changes and the removal of certain topics from the NEET exam.
Download EBook

Commonly Asked Questions

Q: Can elements be broken down into simpler substances?
A:
No, elements cannot be broken down into simpler substances through chemical means. They are the most basic form of matter and consist of only one type of atom.
Q: Why are some elements represented by single letters and others by two letters in the periodic table?
A:
Elements are represented by symbols in the periodic table. Single-letter symbols are used for some elements (usually the first discovered), while two-letter symbols are used for others to avoid confusion. The first letter is always capitalized, and the second letter (if present) is always lowercase.
Q: Can an element exist in different forms? If so, what are these forms called?
A:
Yes, an element can exist in different forms called allotropes. Allotropes are different structural forms of the same element, such as diamond and graphite for carbon, or oxygen (O2) and ozone (O3) for oxygen.
Q: How do the physical properties of elements and compounds differ?
A:
Elements typically have consistent physical properties like melting point and boiling point. Compounds, however, often have physical properties that are distinct from their constituent elements due to the chemical bonds formed between them.
Q: How does the arrangement of atoms in a compound differ from that in an element?
A:
In an element, all atoms are of the same type and are typically arranged in a repeating pattern. In a compound, different types of atoms are chemically bonded together in a specific ratio and arrangement, forming molecules or crystal structures.

Compound

A compound can be defined as a substance that forms due when two or more elements combine. These elements are different from one another. These elements come closer to interact through different forces and combine by formation of different bonds such as covalent bonds and electrostatic bonds. Electrostatic bonds are formed between atoms when electrons are shared between atoms and electrostatic force develops between ions. A mixture is formed due to physical mixing of different kinds of substances to form a certain type of substance.

Mixtures can broadly be classified as homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures. Homogeneous mixtures have uniform concentration of solute throughout the mixture. Heterogeneous mixtures on other hand have non-uniform concentration of solute throughout the mixture. A compound formation occurs due to combination of different types of substances through a chemical reaction. An example of compound is carbon dioxide and water which are formed in the process of combustion. This is a key difference between elements and compounds and mixture.


A compound can be defined as a substance that forms due when two or more elements combine. These elements are different from one another. These elements come closer to interact through different forces and combine by formation of different bonds such as covalent bond and electrostatic bonds. A compound can be defined as a substance that forms due when two or more elements combine. These elements are different from one another. These elements come closer to interact through different forces and combine by formation of different bonds such as covalent bond and electrostatic bonds.

A compound may or may not behave like any of the elements from which it is formed. For example, elements carbon (C) and oxygen (O) tend to be gases at room temperature, when the atmospheric pressure is normal and their product carbon dioxide is gas too at normal pressure. But if we look at the case of hydrogen element (H) and oxygen (O) element, their product water is liquid at normal pressure and room temperature. This indicates that a compound may or may not possess the same property as its components.

There are certain ‘special’ atoms of a few elements that do not bond with any other elements easily at normal conditions. This means they do not form compounds at all and thus are called noble. These unreactive elements are called inert or noble gases like neon, argon, helium, xenon, krypton, and radon which reside in the 18th group of the periodic table. After discussing elements and compounds we can discuss element and compound differences in detail.

Related Topics Link,

Commonly Asked Questions

Q: What is the significance of a chemical formula in representing a compound?
A:
A chemical formula represents the types and numbers of atoms present in one unit of a compound. It provides information about the composition and the ratio of elements in the compound, which is crucial for understanding its properties and behavior.
Q: What role do valence electrons play in the formation of compounds?
A:
Valence electrons are the outermost electrons of an atom and are responsible for chemical bonding. They determine how elements interact to form compounds by being shared, transferred, or pooled between atoms to create chemical bonds.
Q: How does the concept of electronegativity relate to compound formation?
A:
Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract electrons in a chemical bond. Differences in electronegativity between elements determine the type of bond formed in a compound (ionic, covalent, or polar covalent) and influence its properties.
Q: Can a compound be formed from just one element?
A:
No, a compound by definition must be formed from two or more different elements. Substances made from only one element, even if they have different structures, are considered allotropes of that element, not compounds.
Q: Can compounds conduct electricity? How does this compare to elements?
A:
Some compounds can conduct electricity when dissolved in water (electrolytes) or when molten. Elements can be conductors (like metals), semiconductors, or insulators. The ability to conduct electricity depends on the electronic structure and bonding in both elements and compounds.

Difference between element and compound with example

To distinguish between element and compound, it is best to decide to organize some differentiating criteria on which we could differentiate an element or compound.

S.No.

Criteria

Element

Compound

1.

Definition

An element can be said to be a substance that consists of only one type of atom.

A compound can be defined as a substance that forms due when two or more elements combine.

2.

Overall total

There are a total of 118 elements.

The number of compounds existing is immeasurable.

3.

Typing criteria

Elements are generally classified as nonmetals, metalloids and metals on the basis of various physical and chemical properties.

Compounds can be classified as ionic, metallic, covalent etc. based on the type of interaction between atoms.

4.

Representation

These are represented by symbols and atomic numbers. A symbol may or may not correspond to the universal name of an element. For example, the symbol for sodium is Na.

Compounds exist due to the fact that atoms come together. Thus, compounds are represented by writing symbols of constituents’ atoms of different elements together in a combined chemical formula. Example: Na2CO3, NaOH, CO2 etc.

5.

Distinguishing factor

Elements are distinguished by their atomic number. Example: atomic number of hydrogen is 1 while atomic number of boron is 5.

Compounds can be distinguished by their respective ratio of atoms of a certain element. Example CO2 (ratio of C:O = 1:2) is different from CO (ratio of C:O = 1:1).

6.

Property and composition

These consist of only one type of atom which has its characteristic atomic number.

These consist of different types of atoms of different elements which combine in different ratios.

7.

Breakdown capability

Elements cannot be broken down in simpler substances

Compounds can be broken down into molecules of one or many elements.

8.

Examples

Examples include w element, b element, c element, o element etc.

Examples include nitrogen dioxide, water, carbon dioxide, calcium hydroxide etc.

The above table can be of immense importance for understanding element vs compound battle.

Also check-

NCERT Chemistry Notes:

Commonly Asked Questions

Q: What is the fundamental difference between an element and a compound?
A:
An element is a pure substance made up of only one type of atom, while a compound is a substance made up of two or more different elements chemically bonded together in a fixed ratio.
Q: How can compounds be separated into their constituent elements?
A:
Compounds can be separated into their constituent elements through various chemical processes such as electrolysis, thermal decomposition, or chemical reactions. These processes break the chemical bonds between the elements in the compound.
Q: Can a compound have properties similar to its constituent elements?
A:
While a compound may share some properties with its constituent elements, it often has unique properties that are different from those of the elements it contains. This is due to the chemical bonding and interactions between the elements in the compound.
Q: What is the difference between a mixture and a compound?
A:
A mixture is a combination of two or more substances that are not chemically bonded and can be separated by physical means. A compound, on the other hand, consists of elements chemically bonded in a fixed ratio and can only be separated by chemical means.
Q: How does the law of constant composition apply to compounds but not to elements?
A:
The law of constant composition states that a compound always contains the same elements in the same fixed ratio by mass, regardless of its source or method of preparation. This law applies to compounds because they have a specific chemical formula, while elements are made of only one type of atom and do not have a composition that can vary.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the relationship between the periodic trends of elements and the properties of compounds they form?
A:
Periodic trends such as atomic size, ionization energy, and electronegativity influence how elements form compounds. These trends affect bond types, strengths, and the resulting properties of compounds. For example, electronegativity differences determine bond polarity, while atomic size influences the strength of intermolecular forces in compounds.
Q: How does the concept of electrochemical potential differ between elements and compounds?
A:
Electrochemical potential for elements typically refers to their tendency to gain or lose electrons in their elemental state. For compounds, it involves the potential difference generated in electrochemical cells and depends on the specific reactions and concentrations of the species involved.
Q: Can a compound have a lower boiling point than all of its constituent elements?
A:
Yes, a compound can have a lower boiling point than all of its constituent elements. This can occur when the intermolecular forces in the compound are weaker than those in the pure elements, resulting in less energy required to overcome these forces and change the compound from liquid to gas.
Q: How does the concept of isomerism apply to compounds but not to elements?
A:
Isomerism refers to compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements. This concept applies only to compounds, as elements are composed of identical atoms. Isomers can have different physical and chemical properties despite having the same elemental composition.
Q: What is the significance of crystal field theory in understanding the properties of certain compounds?
A:
Crystal field theory explains the electronic structure and properties of transition metal complexes. It's crucial for understanding the color, magnetism, and reactivity of these compounds. This theory doesn't apply to pure elements but is essential for explaining the behavior of many inorganic compounds.
Q: How does the concept of acid-base behavior apply to compounds versus elements?
A:
Acid-base behavior is primarily a property of compounds, not elements. Compounds can act as acids (proton donors) or bases (proton acceptors) in chemical reactions. Elements in their pure form do not exhibit acid-base behavior, though they may form acidic or basic compounds when combined with other elements.
Q: What is the difference between empirical and molecular formulas, and how do they relate to elements and compounds?
A:
Empirical formulas show the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound, while molecular formulas show the actual number of atoms in a molecule. For elements, these are often the same, but for compounds, they can differ. For example, the empirical formula of glucose is CH2O, while its molecular formula is C6H12O6.
Q: How does the concept of resonance apply to compounds but not to elements?
A:
Resonance occurs in compounds when multiple valid Lewis structures can be drawn for a single molecule. It represents the delocalization of electrons in a molecule, affecting its stability and reactivity. This concept doesn't apply to individual elements as they don't form intramolecular bonds.
Q: How does the concept of hybridization apply to compound formation?
A:
Hybridization is the mixing of atomic orbitals to form new hybrid orbitals, which is crucial in explaining the geometry and bonding in many compounds. It helps understand how elements like carbon can form different types of bonds in various compounds, affecting their structure and properties.
Q: Can a compound have a higher or lower reactivity than its most reactive constituent element?
A:
Yes, a compound can have higher or lower reactivity than its most reactive constituent element. The chemical bonds in compounds can either stabilize the elements, reducing reactivity, or create a more reactive species due to the specific arrangement and interaction of atoms.
Articles

News and Notifications

Latest updates