Elements and Compounds

Elements are the basic building blocks of matter. They are substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.

Table of Contents:

• What are elements?
• What are Compounds?
• Difference between Elements and Compounds
• FAQs

What are Elements?

Each element is made up of only one type of atom, or as molecule of similar atoms.

For example, the element carbon is made up of only carbon atoms, which have 6 protons, 6 neutrons and 6 electrons. The element oxygen is made up of only oxygen atoms, which have 8 protons, 8 neutrons, and 8 electrons.

Each element has a unique set of properties, such as density, melting point, and boiling point, that make it different from other elements.

There are over 100 known elements, and they are arranged on the periodic table, a chart that organizes the elements according to their properties and atomic structure.

The elements on the periodic table are grouped into families, and each family has similar characteristics like the halogen family or the carbon family.

It is important to note that elements can combine to form compounds, a substance made up of two or more elements chemically bonded together. But compounds can be broken down into their original elements by chemical means.

What are Compounds?

A compound is a substance made up of two or more different elements that are chemically bonded together. The individual elements lose their original properties and form a new substance with its own unique properties.

Each compound has a unique chemical formula, which is a combination of the symbols of the elements that make it up.

For example, water is a compound made up of hydrogen and oxygen. Its chemical formula is H2O, which tells us that there are 2 atoms of hydrogen and 1 atom of oxygen in a molecule of water.

Salt is another example of a compound, it’s made up of sodium and chlorine and its chemical formula is NaCl.

It’s important to note that compounds can be broken down into their original elements by chemical means, such as through chemical reactions or using acids. They can’t be separated by simple physical means, such as filtration or centrifugation.

Difference between Elements and Compounds

Elements and compounds are two types of matter that are made up of different things.

Elements are the basic building blocks of matter, they are substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.

Each element is made up of only one type of atom, and each atom has a unique number of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Examples of elements include oxygen, carbon, gold, and iron.

Compounds, on the other hand, are made up of two or more different elements that are chemically bonded together. The individual elements lose their original properties and form a new substance with its own unique properties.

Each compound has a unique chemical formula, which is a combination of the symbols of the elements that make it up. Examples of compounds include water (H2O), salt (NaCl), and carbon dioxide (CO2).

An easy way to remember the difference is that elements are like Legos, they are the basic building blocks, while compounds are like structures made of those legos, they have their unique properties, but can be taken apart and rearranged.

It’s also important to note that compounds can be broken down into their original elements by chemical means, such as through chemical reactions or using acids, while elements can’t be broken down into simpler substances.

Elements and Compounds FAQS

Grade 7 Science Worksheets

• Elements and Compounds
• Solar Energy
• Photosynthesis
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Law of conservation of energy
• Periodic table
• Properties of Matter
• Waves
• Energy Resources 
• Weather and Climate
• Immune, Circulatory and Digestive Systems
• Organs in Multi-cellular Organism
• Sedimentary, Igneous, and Metamorphic Rocks
• Structure of the Earth
• Law of Conservation of Mass
• Physical and Chemical Changes
• Scientific Method
• Human Digestive System
• Environmental Science
• Renewable and Non-renewable energy Resources
• Characteristics of Living Organisms
• Life Science
• Earth and Space Science
• Solar Eclipse
• Heat Technology
• Newton’s Laws of Motions
• Physical Science
• Tools, Measurement and SI Units
• Earth Atmosphere
• Interactions of Living things
• The Earth Ecosystem
• Organelles in Plant and Animal cells
• Layers of the Earth
• Cycles in Nature

Grade 7 Math Worksheets

• Fractions
• Linear equations word problems
• Statistics
• Properties of Parallel Line 
• Finding slope from an equation
• Identifying Quadrilaterals
• Percent Change
• Properties of addition and multiplication
• Pythagorean Theorem
• Solving two step inequalities
• Symmetry
• Fractions to Decimals (New)
• Whole Number Exponents with Integer Bases (New)
• Adding and Subtracting Fractions (New)
• Integer Addition and Subtraction (New)
• Dividing Mixed Numbers (New)
• Basics of Coordinate Geometry (New)