What are examples of compounds and non-compounds?
1 Answer
Jun 15, 2017
A compound is a multi-atom substance where two or more different elements are in each formula unit (for ionic compounds) or molecule (for covalent compounds).
The following are examples of compounds.
#"HF"# , hydrofluoric acid, is a molecule, but can also be called a binary compound; more specifically, a binary acid. It contains two different elements.#"CO"_2# , carbon dioxide, is generally considered a molecule, but can also be called a compound. It contains two different elements.#"CH"_3"COOH"# , acetic acid, is a molecule, and is also a compound. It contains three different elements.
The following are examples of NOT compounds.
#"Br"_2# , bromine, is a diatomic element, or a molecular element. Only one element is in its structure though, so it is not a compound.#"Ar"# , argon, is an atom; thus, it cannot be multi-atomic, and consequently is not a compound.#"S"_8# , sulfur, is an octatomic element, or a molecular element. Only one element is in its structure though, so it is not a compound.
