Can someone please explain Elements vs Compound vs Atom vs Molecule (thanks!)

[detz]

Can someone please explain Elements vs Compounds vs Atoms vs Molecules (thanks!)

Don't know if im posting this in the correct forum but it made sense



I'm having a test Monday and I have the following information... but, im a little confused.

Elements vs Compound vs Atom vs Molecule

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Definitions

Element: A substance that cannot be broken down to other substances by chemical means (example: O/oxygen)


Compound: A substance containing 2 or more elements in a fixed ratio (example: NcCl/table salt)


Atom: The smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.


Molecule: A group of 2 or more atoms held together by covalent bonds.


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While comparing an Atom to a Molecule:

Atom = O/Oxygen
Molecule = O2

- 2 or more Atoms combined (covalent bonding) will form a molecule.

- An Atom refers to only one element whereas a molecule can either be an element OR compound.

- A molecule will exist separately when an Atom CANNOT.


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Here is where im confused... In terms of "matter" an Atom would be the smallest unit? So, an Atom is basically another word for an Element?

an as a compound is 2 elements (2 atoms) wouldn't a molecule be another name for a compound?


So, If I am wrong please do help explain the differences of the four

thanks in advance %)

 

[Darth-_Vidar]

Atom and molecule refer to the individual particles of matter, which are way too small to see and which we know exist only b/c of scientific instruments that can messure things that small. Element and compound refer to the aggregate matter that you see all around you, with elements being those aggregates which are formed by only 1 type of atom, and compounds being made up of any other number of types of atoms.

 

[El Guapo]

You got it pretty much right. The terms can be interchangable.

A singular atom must be an element. "Atom" isn't another word for element, rather, it is an amount of an element. An atom is the smallest amount of an element you can have.

Yes, a molecule can be a compound. However O2 (pure oxygen) is naturally in molecular form. That is, a single atom of oxygen is never present in nature, it is always coupled to another atom of oxygen, in what is called molecular form. So in this case, O2 isn't a compound, but it is a molecule. A compound is composed of two or more elements, and therefore has two or more atoms.

 

[detz]

great

thanks guys!

 

[detz]

would H2 also be considered a molecule but not a compound?

 

[sixpartseven]

Don't know if im posting this in the correct forum but it made sense



I'm having a test Monday and I have the following information... but, im a little confused.

Elements vs Compound vs Atom vs Molecule

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Definitions

Element: A substance that cannot be broken down to other substances by chemical means (example: O/oxygen)


Compound: A substance containing 2 or more elements in a fixed ratio (example: NcCl/table salt)


Atom: The smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.


Molecule: A group of 2 or more atoms held together by covalent bonds.


///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


While comparing an Atom to a Molecule:

Atom = O/Oxygen
Molecule = O2

- 2 or more Atoms combined (covalent bonding) will form a molecule.

- An Atom refers to only one element whereas a molecule can either be an element OR compound.

- A molecule will exist separately when an Atom CANNOT.


///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


Here is where im confused... In terms of "matter" an Atom would be the smallest unit? So, an Atom is basically another word for an Element?

an as a compound is 2 elements (2 atoms) wouldn't a molecule be another name for a compound?


So, If I am wrong please do help explain the differences of the four

thanks in advance %)

An atom is basically a unit of measurement for an element.

"Joe had one atom of the element oxygen in his pocket."

A compound can be a combination of two or more atoms or two or more different elements (NaCl), where as a molecule is only a combination of 2 or more atoms of one element (O2 [oxygen] or 03 [ozone]).