What are Compounds?

Compounds are a group of different atoms and different elements which unite together by a chemical bond. The chemical bond can be of three types, either covalent, ionic or metallic.

Similarly, it is important to remember that all compounds are molecules but not all molecules are compounds. Moreover, we only categorize heteronuclear molecules as compounds. However, the same is not the case with homonuclear molecules.

Remember that water’s chemical formula is H₂O. Water is composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom in this note. When two different elements combine, a new substance known as water is formed. 

Compounds are substances formed by the combination of two or more types of elements.

Atoms in a compound are chemically connected and thus cannot be easily separated. Similarly, carbon dioxide has the chemical formula CO₂ and is made up of two elements: carbon and oxygen. Table salt (NaCl), chalk (CaCO₃), and water are some other examples of compounds (H₂O).

Molecules are the smallest building blocks that form the matter around us. They are the simplest particles that carry the properties of matter. Molecules are joined together to form the Compound. A molecule is the smallest unit of matter formed by joining various atoms together whereas the compounds are the matter that we see around us. The water that we see around us is a compound that is made up of water molecules. The molecules of water are represented as H₂O.

Let’s learn more about Molecules, Compounds, and Differences between Molecules and Compounds in this article.