Elements and Compounds

 

 

Elements

o    An element is a pure substance

o    An element is made of only one type of atom (ex; Na, Cl, H, O)

o    An element cannot be separated into simpler substances by chemical or physical means

o    Each element has its own unique properties

o    All matter is composed of one or more of approximately 118 elements

o    Ten elements make up 99+% of the mass of the Earth's crust, oceans and atmosphere.

o    When writing element symbols:

o    the first letter is always capitalized

o    the second letter is always lower case

 

Compounds

o    A compound is made of molecules (2 or more different atoms, ex: NaCl, H2O)

o    Compounds are formed by chemically combining two or more elements

o    The compound created by combining two or more pure substances is a new pure substance

o    Compounds have properties that are different from the elements that make them

o    Compounds have their own unique properties

o    Compounds can be separated into elements only by chemical change with heat or electric current

o    Compounds cannot be separated by physical means