Question

What is a compound?

Short answer

A compound is a substance that consists of two or more different elements chemically bonded together in a fixed ratio, such as water (H_2O), carbon dioxide (CO_2), or sodium chloride (NaCl). Unlike mixtures, compounds have a unique set of properties different from their individual elements and can only be broken down into simpler substances through chemical reactions, not physical methods.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of a Compound

A compound is a substance that consists of two or more different elements chemically bonded together in a fixed ratio. Compounds can be formed through chemical reactions, and their properties are different from the individual elements they are made up of. They can be broken down into simpler substances through chemical reactions, but not by physical means like filtration or evaporation.

Examples of Compounds

Some common examples of compounds include: 1. Water (H2O): A compound formed by the chemical bonding of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. 2. Carbon Dioxide (CO_2): A compound formed by the chemical bonding of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. 3. Sodium Chloride (NaCl): A compound formed by the chemical bonding of one sodium atom and one chlorine atom.

Compound vs. Mixture

It is important to differentiate between a compound and a mixture. While both compounds and mixtures consist of two or more components, compounds are formed through chemical bonds, whereas mixtures are formed through the physical mixing of substances. In mixtures, components retain their original properties and can be separated by physical methods, such as filtration, evaporation, or distillation.

Properties of Compounds

Some important properties of compounds are as follows: 1. Compounds have a fixed composition: The ratio of elements in a compound is always the same. 2. Compounds have a unique set of properties: The properties of a compound are different from the properties of its constituent elements. 3. Compounds can be broken down into simpler substances only through chemical reactions, and not by physical methods.