7.6A Element or Compound?

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What is an element?

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An element is a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. Examples include oxygen (O) and helium (He).

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What is a compound?

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A compound is a substance formed when two or more elements are chemically bonded together. Examples include water (H2O) and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4).

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Element

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Element

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Compound

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Element

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What is the difference between an element and a compound?

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An element is a single type of atom, while a compound consists of two or more different types of atoms chemically bonded together.

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Can elements exist in different forms?

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Yes, elements can exist in different forms called allotropes. For example, carbon can exist as graphite or diamond.

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What is a chemical formula?

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A chemical formula is a way of expressing information about the atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound or molecule. For example, H2O represents water.

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What does the subscript in a chemical formula indicate?

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The subscript in a chemical formula indicates the number of atoms of the element present in the compound. For example, in H2O, the '2' indicates there are two hydrogen atoms.