What is Compound? Definition, Meaning & Example
A compound is a substance formed from two or more elements chemically bonded in fixed proportions.
TL;DR: A compound is a substance formed from two or more elements chemically bonded in fixed proportions.
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Compound: A compound is a substance formed from two or more elements chemically bonded in fixed proportions.
Explanation
Compounds have fixed ratios of elements that determine their composition and properties. Water always has one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms in the formula H2O. Compounds have properties different from their component elements. For example, salt is a compound of sodium and chlorine, but has completely different properties from metallic sodium or poisonous chlorine gas. Compounds can be formed through ionic bonding where electrons are transferred, or covalent bonding where electrons are shared. Understanding compounds is central to chemistry and explains why different materials have different properties.
Example
Sodium chloride is a compound made of sodium and chlorine in a one-to-one ratio, forming table salt with properties distinct from its components.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a compound different from a mixture?
Compounds have fixed chemical compositions with atoms bonded together. Mixtures have variable compositions with components simply mixed together without bonding. Compounds have distinct properties while mixtures retain properties of their components.
Can a compound be separated into its elements?
Yes, but only through chemical reactions. A compound can be broken down into its component elements, but this requires breaking the chemical bonds. This is different from mixtures which can be separated by physical means.
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