Difference between elements, compounds and mixtures
A element is a material composed of a simple type of atom, a compound is a substance made up of two or more elements that are chemically combined and a mix It is the combination of substances, the same or not, that can be separated by physical methods.
| Element | Compound | Mix | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | A substance formed from an atom. | A substance made up of chemically bound molecules or ions. | Set of two or more substances. |
| Separation technique | Does not apply | Does not apply |
Filtration Decantation Distillation |
| Types |
Metals Metalloids No metals |
Organic Inorganic |
Homogeneous Heterogeneous |
| Examples |
Gold Sulfur Neon |
Water Table salt Glucose |
Air Seawater Mayonnaise |
Elements
The element is a pure chemical formed from an atom. It is characterized because it cannot be divided or transformed by a chemical reaction.
The elements discovered to date are 118 and are classified in the periodic table. Each element differs mainly by the atomic number, which is nothing more than the number of protons found in the nucleus of the atom.
Element types
- Metals: they are the elements characterized by conducting electricity, being malleable and showing brightness. For example: gold Au, iron Fe, sodium Na.
- No metals: they are the elements characterized by not being good conductors of electricity, not magnetic and not malleable. Example: oxygen O, chlorine Cl and neon Ne.
- Metalloids: those elements that present some characteristics of metals and non-metals. Example: arsenic As, silicon Si, boron B.
Examples of elements
Carbon C
Carbon, whose symbol is C, is the key element of organic compounds. Its atomic number is 6 and it is also found in graphite and diamond.
Hydrogen H
Hydrogen, whose symbol is H, is the most abundant element in the Universe. Its atomic number is 1 and it is found in nature as a diatomic element H2.
It may interest you to see Atoms and molecules.
Compounds
A compound is a pure chemical substance made up of a particular set of molecules or ions that are chemically bound. They may be:
- molecular compounds linked by covalent bonds;
- salts linked by ionic bonds;
- compounds of metal with metal joints; Y
- complex compounds.
Types of compounds
- Inorganic compounds: are those compounds in whose composition there are no bonds between carbons. Example: water H2O, sulfuric acid H2SW4, silver nitrate AgNO3.
- Organic compounds: are those compounds where carbon is the base element in the construction of the molecule. Example: ethanol H3C-CH2OH, proteins and carbohydrates.
You may be interested in knowing about Organic and inorganic compounds.
Examples of compounds in everyday life
Water
Water is a chemical compound formed by the chemical union of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom H2OR. Water is the most essential compound for the maintenance of life on the face of the Earth.
Table salt or sodium chloride
The salt we use in the kitchen is sodium chloride NaCl, which is an ionic compound, that is, ionic bonds are established between the elements sodium and chlorine, where there is transfer of electrons.
Glucose
Glucose, of formula C6H12OR6, is an organic compound made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. It is synthesized in plants by the photosynthesis process and is used by heterotrophic organisms as a source of energy.
You may be interested in knowing more examples of organic and inorganic compounds.
Mixtures
A mixture is the combination of various elements and / or molecules that are not chemically bound. It differs from pure substances, such as elements and compounds, in that the components can be separated by various physical techniques.
Mix types
- Homogeneous mixture: is one whose composition is uniform and each part has the same properties. For example: the mixture of water and vinegar, the mixture of alcohol and water.
- Heterogeneous mixture: is the one in whose composition the parts of the mixture can be distinguished. For example: the mixture of oil and vinegar, the mixture of a fruit juice.
Examples of mixtures in everyday life
Air
Air is a mixture made up of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and the remaining 1% is represented by argon, water vapor, and carbon dioxide.
Sea water
Seawater is a mixture of water, ions, salts, and a variety of other molecules.
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is a mixture of fat, protein and water emulsion. To prepare mayonnaise you have to beat the egg with oil and salt in a certain proportion.
You may be interested in seeing:
- Homogeneous mixture and heterogeneous mixture.
- Examples of homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures
- Mixture separation methods
Doctor in Biochemistry from the Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Research (IVIC), with a degree in Bioanalysis from the Central University of Venezuela.
