Question

Without looking at formulas, how can you distinguish compounds from solutions?

In other words, if I was given a glass of water and some stainless steel, how can I know that water is a compound and stainless steel is a solution. What are characteristics aside from chemical formulas that are useful when differentiating between compounds and solutions?

Answer 1

A solution in chemistry by definition, is a mixture of two or more compounds or elements.

by definition steel is an alloy, so it is a mix of chromium, iron, tungsten and so on. but there is no chemical bond.

A compound is a chemically unique combination of two or more elements which are bonded to each other by chemical bonds.

in this case water is one compound `H_2O`

for example all compounds are molecules but not all molecules are compound for example Molecular Oxygen `O_2` or hydrogen `H_2`

There is no certain way to distinguish complicated matters, but the more experience and knowledge you gain in the field of chemistry heavily improve your skills and resources.