Which of the following correctly explains the difference between an element and a compound?
A.
An element is made up of only one type of atom, and a compound is made up of two or more elements that are chemically combined.
B.
A compound is made up of only one type of atom, and an element is made up of two or more compounds that are chemically combined.
C.
A compound is made up of only one type of atom, and an element is made up mixtures.
D.
An element is made up of only one type of atom, and a compound is made up of mixtures.
A. An element is made up of only one type of atom, and a compound is made up of two or more elements that are chemically combined.
A. An element is made up of only one type of atom, and a compound is made up of two or more elements that are chemically combined.
The correct answer is A. An element is made up of only one type of atom, and a compound is made up of two or more elements that are chemically combined.
To understand the difference between an element and a compound, it's helpful to understand the basic concepts of atoms and molecules. An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element. It cannot be further broken down into simpler substances through ordinary chemical processes.
Elements are substances that are made up of only one type of atom. For example, oxygen (O), carbon (C), and hydrogen (H) are all elements. Each of these elements is composed of only one type of atom.
On the other hand, a compound is a substance that is made up of two or more elements that are chemically combined. These elements are held together by chemical bonds. For example, water (H2O) is a compound made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
To recap, an element consists of a single type of atom, while a compound consists of two or more different elements chemically bonded together.