The difference between element and compound is part of a very important understanding in the study of Chemistry. Furthermore, elements and compounds are pure substances that exist in nature. Most noteworthy, the main difference between element and compound is that the former comprises of same types of atoms while the later comprises of different elements.
Definition of Element      Â
An element refers to a substance that comprises only one type of atom. Furthermore, a good example is that of the hydrogen atom. Moreover, the hydrogen atom has atoms that have a single proton as well as a single electron. Also, if a change in the number of protons of an atom takes place, the element’s type changes.
Definition of Compound
A compound refers to a substance that forms due to a combination of two or more elements that are different from one another. Furthermore, this combination of elements takes place in such a way that the atoms belonging to different elements are together by chemical bonds. Such bonds form because of electrons sharing among the atoms.
Difference between Element and Compound
                             difference between element and compound
Important Difference between Element and Compound
| Parameter | Element | Compound |
| Definition | A substance containing atoms of the same type | A substance having atoms belonging to a combination of  different elements |
| Composition | It has only one type of atom, with each atom having its own atomic number | They have different elements whose arrangement is in a definite ratio through chemical bonds |
| Representation | The representation of an element takes place by using a symbol | The representation of a compound is by using a chemical formula |
| Possibility of breaking down | Breaking down of elements into more simple substances by using chemical reactions is not possible | Breaking down or separation of compounds into more simple substances by using chemical reactions is certainly possible |
| Examples | Oxygen(O), Hydrogen(H), Chlorine(Cl), Sodium(Na) etc | Sodium chloride(NaCl), Water(H2O) etc |
| Types | Observation of 117 elements has taken place so far. | Creation of a virtually limitless number of compounds can certainly take place |
| Classification | Their classification can be as metalloid, metal, and non-metal | Their classification can be as ionic compounds, molecular compounds, complexes, and intermetallic compounds |
More Details about Element
An element is a substance in which the atoms have the same number of protons. Consequently, this means that the atoms of an element have the same atomic number. Breaking down of elements is not possible and hence they are the simplest substances.
Despite the fact that all the atoms of an element must have the same number of protons, their number of neutrons can certainly be different. Consequently, they can be of different masses as well. Also, isotopes are forms of an element whose atoms have different numbers of neutrons.
There is certainly a difference between elements and components. Furthermore, a component refers to a small part of a larger entity that mostly is a manufactured object. In contrast, an element is one the simplest parts of which anything consists of.
More Details about Compound
There is certainly a difference between mixture and compound. Furthermore, the formation of a mixture is when physical mixing of multiple substances takes place together. In contrast, the formation of a compound takes place due to a combination of multiple substances through a chemical reaction.
Often, a compound does not behave like any of the elements that comprise it. For example, elements hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) tend to be gases at room temperature, when the atmospheric pressure is normal. However, the compound water is liquid at room temperature, keeping atmospheric pressure normal.
The atoms of a few elements do not bond with other elements readily. Therefore, they do not form compounds. Most noteworthy, such elements are the inert or noble gases like neon, argon, helium, xenon, krypton, and radon.
FAQs about Element and Compound
Question 1: Explain one difference between element and compound?
Answer 1: One difference between element and compound is that an element’s representation is by symbol while a compound is certainly represented by a chemical formula.
Question 2: What is the difference between mixture and compound?
Answer 2: The difference between mixture and compound is that the former comes into existence by physical mixing of substances while the compound is formed by a combination of substances via a chemical reaction. Â Furthermore, in a mixture, unlike compound, there is no bonding among the atoms.
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