Chap 4: Elements, Compounds and Mixtures

Element:
An element is a substance that cannot be split into two or more simpler substances by chemical
means or by electricity.

Elements can be classified into metals and non-metals.

Metals Non-metals
Shiny appearance (lustrous) Dull appearance (non-lustrous)
Mostly solids at r.t.p*. Either gases, volatile liquids or solids with low
melting points at r.t.p.
Malleable Brittle (if solid)
Sonorous
Ductile
High melting points and boiling points. Generally low melting points and boiling points.
Good conductors of heat. Generally poor conductors of heat.
Good conductors of electricity in all states of Generally poor conductors of electricity.
matter.
Table 4.1. Differences between Metals and Non-metals.
*r.t.p: room temperature and pressure.

Atom:
An atom is the smallest possible particle of an element that can take part in a chemical change.

Compound:
A compound is a pure substance which contains only one type of molecule made up of atoms of
more than one element. It is formed when two or more different elements are chemically
combined together.
Heat can be used to form compounds. Heat can also be used to break down compounds into
elements or simpler compounds. Such a chemical reaction is called thermal decomposition.

Molecule:
A molecule is the smallest particle of a compound and is made up of a group of two or more
atoms chemically combined together. The atoms that join to make one molecule can either be
same or different.
To show the atoms present in the molecule of a compound, we use its chemical formula, e.g., the
chemical formula of water is H2O. It contains the elements Hydrogen (symbol H) and Oxygen
(symbol O). The subscript number 2 shows the number of atoms of the element preceding it.

Mixture:
A mixture is not a pure substance, as its components are not chemically combined. It is formed
when two or more substances are physically combined.

The differences between mixtures and compounds are listed below:

Mixture Compound
1. Component substances can be separated by Component substances cannot be separated by
physical means. physical means.
2. Its physical properties (colour, density, etc) are Its physical properties are individual and not the
an average of those of the substances in it. result of its elements.
3. Normally little or no energy is given out or Energy is usually taken in or given out when a
taken in when a mixture is formed. compound is formed. This is because a chemical
reaction takes place here.
4. A mixtures composition can vary. A compounds composition cannot vary.
Constituent elements are present in a fixed
proportion by mass.
5. Its chemical properties are the result of the Its chemical properties are quite different from
substances in the mixture. those of its elements.
Table 4.2. Differences between mixtures and compounds.