Molecules and Compounds

An element is a pure substance consisting of identical atoms that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical changes. A compound is a pure substance composed of two or more elements in fixed, definite proportions. For example, water is a compound containing hydrogen and oxygen atoms bonded together in a specific ratio.

Atoms combine through strong electrostatic forces called chemical bonds. When two or more identical atoms bond together, they form molecules. When atoms of different elements combine in fixed proportions, they form both molecules and compounds. These bonds lower the potential energy and create more stable units compared to individual atoms.

Covalent bonds form when nonmetal atoms share valence electrons, creating molecular compounds like water. Ionic bonds form when metal atoms transfer electrons to nonmetal atoms, creating oppositely charged ions that attract each other. The type of bond determines whether a compound is molecular or ionic.

Atomic elements exist as single atoms, like carbon or sodium. Molecular elements consist of two or more atoms bonded together and never occur as single atoms in nature. Examples include diatomic hydrogen (H2), oxygen (O2), and polyatomic sulfur (S8). Most elements are atomic elements.

The periodic table lists 118 elements identified to date. The constituent unit of each element is the atom, which is the smallest unit retaining all properties of that element. Some elements exist as independent individual atoms, while others exist as multiple atoms bonded together.

Chemical bonds form because shared or transferred electrons between atoms lower potential energy, creating more stable molecules compared to individual atoms. This stability drives atoms to combine through covalent bonds, where electrons are shared, or ionic bonds, where electrons are transferred between metal and nonmetal atoms.

The type of chemical bond determines whether a compound is molecular or ionic. Covalent bonds between nonmetal atoms create molecular compounds like water. Ionic bonds between metal and nonmetal atoms create ionic compounds like sodium chloride. The bond type directly influences the compound's properties and behavior.