How does an element differ from a compound?

1 Answer
David Drayer
Sep 6, 2016

An element is made of only one kind of atom and a compound is made of two or more kinds of atoms

Explanation:

A molecule is made of two or more atoms
If those atoms are the same such as #H_2# or #N_2# The molecules is an element.

Some elements such as your metal elements use metallic bonding where an unlimited number of the same atoms can join. Iron, Aluminum are common examples.

If the atoms in the molecule are different it is a compound such as
water #H_2O, # or Carbon dioxide #(CO_2)#

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