example of how are the properties of salt differ from the properties of element?

Salt can be decomposed into other materials (Na and Cl2 in the case of NaCl); an element cannot be decomposed to other materials (except of course electrons, protons, neutrons) and stay as the original element.

To understand how the properties of salt differ from the properties of an element, let's consider the example of sodium (Na) as an element and sodium chloride (NaCl) as salt.

1. Composition:
- Sodium (Na) is an element composed of only sodium atoms, having an atomic number of 11.
- Sodium chloride (NaCl) is a compound formed by the chemical combination of sodium and chlorine atoms in a 1:1 ratio.

2. Physical State:
- Sodium is a silver-colored solid metal at room temperature with a low melting point of 97.8°C (208°F).
- Sodium chloride (common table salt) is a white crystalline solid at room temperature.

3. Solubility:
- Sodium is highly reactive and reacts violently with water, producing hydrogen gas. It is not soluble in water on its own.
- Sodium chloride is highly soluble in water, forming a colorless and odorless solution.

4. Conductivity:
- Pure sodium is a good conductor of electricity, as it has free electrons that can move and carry an electric charge.
- Sodium chloride is also a good conductor of electricity when dissolved in water. The dissolved ions (Na+ and Cl-) can move and carry an electric charge.

5. Chemical Reactivity:
- Sodium is highly reactive and easily forms compounds through chemical reactions. It reacts vigorously with water and air.
- Sodium chloride is relatively stable and has limited reactivity on its own, unlike sodium.

To summarize, the properties of salt (sodium chloride) differ from the properties of sodium (an element) due to differences in composition, physical state, solubility, conductivity, and chemical reactivity. These differences arise because salt is a compound formed by the combination of elements.