Elements have only 1 type of atoms compounds have more than 1. This picture shows the differences between elements and compounds at an atomic level. Compounds are depicted by their chemical formula which follows the Hill system wherein carbon atoms are listed first, followed by hydrogen atoms after which elements are listed in alphabetical order. Sometimes foreign elements are trapped inside crystal structure of compounds giving them a non homogeneous structure. Most compounds can exist as solids (low enough temperatures) and can be decomposed by the application of heat. Valency is defined as the number of hydrogen atoms required that can combine with an atom of the element forming the compound. The combining of elements is facilitated by their valency. The elements in a compound do not always retain their original properties and cannot be separated by physical means. For example, 1 atom of sodium (Na) combines with 1 atom of chlorine (Cl) to form one molecule of sodium chloride (NaCl) compound. carbon binds in a tetrahedron to form diamond and layers of hexagons of carbon forms graphite.Ĭompounds are composed of different elements in a fixed proportion. Allotropes – atoms of an element can form bonds with each other in more than one way leading to difference in their chemical properties.carbon has three isotopes, Carbon - 12, Carbon -13 and Carbon - 14. Thus isotopes have similar chemical properties (due to same number of protons) but different nuclear properties (due to different number of neutrons). Naturally occurring elements have more than one stable isotope.
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