Element vs. Compound: What's the Difference?
Read the comparison below, or explore it visually. Create a visual lesson comparing element and compound using available credits or plan allowance.
Both are pure substances, but the difference is what they're made of. An element contains only one kind of atom and can't be broken down chemically — like gold or oxygen. A compound is two or more different elements chemically bonded in a fixed ratio — like water (H₂O), which is hydrogen and oxygen combined.
At a glance
| Element | Compound | |
|---|---|---|
| Made of | One kind of atom | Two or more different elements |
| Breaks down chemically? | No | Yes — into its elements |
| Example | Oxygen (O), gold (Au) | Water (H₂O), salt (NaCl) |
| Properties | Its own | Often unlike its elements |
| On the periodic table? | Yes — all 118 are listed | No — compounds aren't listed |
Which should you use?
It's an element when the substance is made of a single type of atom and appears on the periodic table — like carbon, iron, or helium.
It's a compound when two or more different elements are chemically bonded in a set ratio, creating a new substance with its own properties — like water or carbon dioxide.