Study the Differences Between Elements and Compounds

In science, you will see lots of different models and drawings of various structures and molecules. In order to understand the complex ones, you first need to ensure you can recognise the simple ones. 

An atom is the smallest particle that can exist. Everything is made from atoms. Atoms are shown in diagrams as small circles.

A substance made from only one type of atom is called an element. Elements are listed on the periodic table. There are 118 different elements found on the periodic table. The periodic table lists all the known elements and groups together those with similar properties. Most elements are metals, but some are non-metals too. 

Some elements exist on their own, like neon, or go round in pairs like oxygen and hydrogen - we call these molecules.

A compound is a substance that is made from more than one type of atom - it is made from two or more different elements chemically bonded together. Some examples of compounds are water, nitrogen monoxide and carbon dioxide. In a picture, we can tell it's a compound as there are at least two different types of atom joined together (two different colours).

Fact! Compounds are referred to as molecules too.

Mixtures on the other hand can be identified in a picture as, although they may contain at least two different types of atoms (two different colours), they will not be joined together. A mixture containing compounds will show individual compounds joined together, but not joined to the other different compounds/elements in the mixture. 

Think you can recognise pictures and models of different elements, mixtures and compounds? Let's have a go......