Elements and Compounds

What is an Element?

• An element is a pure substance that cannot be broken down any farther without changing what it is

• All elements known to man can be found on the periodic table of elements

Elements

• Each element has specific properties that help to identify it

• Elements are made up of atoms– Atoms are made up of protons, neutrons and electrons

• An element is a pure substance and consists of only one type of atom

Elements• Some elements you may be familiar with:– Hydrogen– Helium– Oxygen– Chlorine– Nitrogen– Sodium– Aluminum– Gold– Silver– Tin

What is a Compound?

• A compound is the combination of two or more elements bonded together

• You might not realize it but you are familiar with MANY compounds!

Compounds

• Compounds, unlike elements, CAN be broken down – A compound can be broken down into elements

• When elements combine to form a compound their properties often change– Example: Sodium (Na) as an element is different than

the sodium in the compound Sodium Chloride (NaCl)

Compounds

• Below are some common compounds you might have heard of:– NaCl= Sodium Chloride= table salt!– H2O= Dihydrogen Oxide= water!

– N2O= Dinitrogen Oxide= laughing gas!