Element vs. Compound
Main DifferenceElements and Compounds are the both matter found in various states. Elements are the chemical substance or matter that is made up of similar sort of atoms combined. We can also say that similar kind of atoms of a matter combines to form an element. The compound, on the other hand, is different as compare to the element. The compound is the mixture or combination of two different kinds of elements. Two or more kinds of elements combine to form compounds.

Difference Between Element and Compound
Element vs. Compound
The element is the chemical substance that is made up of similar kinds of atoms joined. It can be in any state of matter and form.
Element vs. Compound
Compounds are chemical substances that are formed due to the combination of two or more different kinds of elements.
Element vs. Compound
Elements react with each other and form a new compound.
Element vs. Compound
Similar atoms of substance combine to form an element.
Element vs. Compound
Elements occur naturally or made artificially by the radioactive
Element vs. Compound
Compounds are formed only due to the reactions of elements with each other.
Element vs. Compound
Up till now 117 elements are discovered and known present in the periodic
Element vs. Compound
Compounds are endless, and their numbers are not defined specifically.
Element vs. Compound
Elements cannot be breakdown further.
Element vs. Compound
Compounds can be breakdown further into elements and ions by chemical reactions.
Element vs. Compound
Elements are represented by their Atomic number and symbol in the periodic
Element vs. Compound
Their chemical formula represents compounds.
Elementnoun
One of the simplest or essential parts or principles of which anything consists, or upon which the constitution or fundamental powers of anything are based.
Letters are the elements of written language.Compoundnoun
an enclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined
Elementnoun
(chemistry) Any one of the simplest chemical substances that cannot be decomposed in a chemical reaction or by any chemical means and made up of atoms all having the same number of protons.
Compoundnoun
a group of buildings situated close together, e.g. for a school or block of offices
Elementnoun
One of the four basic building blocks of matter in theories of ancient philosophers and alchemists: water, earth, fire, and air.
Compoundnoun
Anything made by combining several things.
Elementnoun
(legal) A required aspect or component of a cause of action. A deed is regarded as a violation of law only if each element can be proved.
Compoundnoun
A substance made from any combination elements.
Elementnoun
(set theory) One of the objects in a set.
Compoundnoun
(chemistry) A substance formed by chemical union of two or more ingredients in definite proportions by weight.
Elementnoun
Any of the teeth of a zip fastener.
Compoundnoun
(linguistics) A lexeme that consists of more than one stem; compound word; for example laptop, formed from lap and top.
Elementnoun
A small part of the whole.
an element of doubt;an element of the pictureCompoundnoun
(rail) a compound locomotive, a steam locomotive with both high-pressure and low-pressure cylinders.
Elementnoun
Atmospheric forces such as strong winds and rains.
exposed to the elementsCompoundadjective
composed of elements; not simple
a compound wordElementnoun
A place or state of being that an individual or object is best suited to.
to be in one's elementCompoundadjective
(math) dealing with numbers of various denominations of quantity, or with processes more complex than the simple process
compound addition; compound proportionElementnoun
The bread and wine taken at Holy Communion.
Compoundadjective
(music) An octave higher than originally (i.e. a compound major second is equivalent to a major ninth).
Elementnoun
A group of people within a larger group having a particular common characteristic.
You sometimes find the hooligan element at football matches.Compoundverb
(transitive) To form (a resulting mixture) by combining different elements, ingredients, or parts.
to compound a medicineElementnoun
A component in electrical equipment, often in the form of a coil, having a high resistance, thereby generating heat when a current is passed through it.
The element in this electric kettle can heat the water in under a minute.Compoundverb
(transitive) To assemble (ingredients) into a whole; to combine, mix, or unite.
Elementnoun
(computing) One of the conceptual objects in a markup language, usually represented in text by tags.
Compoundverb
(transitive) To modify or change by combination with some other thing or part; to mingle with something else.
Elementverb
(obsolete) To compound of elements.
Compoundverb
To settle by agreeing on less than the claim, or on different terms than those stipulated.
to compound a debtElementverb
(obsolete) To constitute and be the elements of.
Compoundverb
(transitive) To settle amicably; to adjust by agreement; to compromise.
Elementnoun
an abstract part of something;
jealousy was a component of his charactertwo constituents of a musical composition are melody and harmonythe grammatical elements of a sentencea key factor in her successhumor: an effective ingredient of a speechCompoundverb
(intransitive) To come to terms of agreement; to agree; to settle by a compromise; usually followed by with before the person participating, and for before the thing compounded or the consideration.
Elementnoun
any of the more than 100 known substances (of which 92 occur naturally) that cannot be separated into simpler substances and that singly or in combination constitute all matter
Compoundverb
To compose; to constitute.
Elementnoun
an artifact that is one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up; especially a part that can be separated from or attached to a system;
spare components for carsa component or constituent element of a systemCompoundverb
To increase in value with interest, where the interest is earned on both the principal sum and prior earned interest.
Elementnoun
one of four substances thought in ancient and medieval cosmology to constitute the physical universe;
the alchemists believed that there were four elementsCompoundverb
(transitive) To worsen a situation
Elementnoun
the most favorable environment for a plant or animal;
water is the element of fishesCompoundnoun
(chemistry) a substance formed by chemical union of two or more elements or ingredients in definite proportion by weight
Elementnoun
the situation in which you are happiest and most effective;
in your elementCompoundnoun
a whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts
Elementnoun
a straight line that generates a cylinder or cone
Compoundnoun
an enclosure of residences and other building (especially in the Orient)
Compoundverb
make more intense, stronger, or more marked;
The efforts were intensifiedHer rudeness intensified his dislike for herPotsmokers claim it heightens their awarenessThis event only deepened my convictionsCompoundverb
put or add together;
combine resourcesCompoundverb
calculate principal and interest
Compoundverb
create by mixing or combining
Compoundverb
combine so as to form a whole; mix;
compound the ingredientsCompoundadjective
of leaf shapes; of leaves composed of several similar parts or lobes
Compoundadjective
consisting of two or more substances or ingredients or elements or parts;
soap is a compound substancehousetop is a compound worda blackberry is a compound fruitCompoundadjective
composed of many distinct individuals united to form a whole or colony;
coral is a colonial organismComparison Chart
Element | Compound |
The element is a chemical substance of any state of matter that is made up of the combination of similar kind of atoms. | Compounds are the chemical substances of any state of matter that are made up of the combination of two different types of elements. |
Types | |
Their states and reactivity classify 117 types of known element. Among which 94 are naturally occurring, and radioactivity artificially develops the remaining 22. | Compounds are endless types. Compounds can be made with a combination of any two reactive elements, so their numbers are not defined. |
Features | |
Their atomic numbers classify elements. An atomic number is a number of protons in their atoms. Elements can be reactive, non-reactive and very much reactive depending upon their nature. | Compounds are made up of different elements. Elements chemical react together to form a compound. There is a fixed ratio of each element in the formation of a specific compound. Compounds can be breakdown which releases energy. |
Breakdown Ability | |
Elements cannot be broken down further as they are composed of similar sort of atoms. | Compounds can be broken down into ions and their elements which they are made up of, it is done through chemical reactions. |
Example | |
Common examples of elements include Iron, copper, sulphur, phosphorus, hydrogen, oxygen, etc. | Common examples of compounds include water, Sodium chloride (NaCl), Hydrochloric Acid (HCl), etc. |
Representation | |
Elements are represented in the periodic table by their atomic numbers. | Their chemical formula represents the compounds. |
What is Element?
Elements are the chemical substances of any state of matter. Elements are made up of similar kinds of atoms joined. We can also say that similar kinds of atoms combine to form an element. An element can be non-reactive, reactive or very much reactive depending on its type of atoms and nature. Atoms are the smallest divisible part of the matter. These are the building blocks of everything and matter that exist in the earth. Up till now, there are 117 elements found and placed in the periodic table. From these 117 elements, 94 elements such as oxygen, hydrogen, etc. are naturally occurring elements, whereas radioactivity artificially produces the rest 22 elements. Elements in the periodic table are classified and placed by their reactivity. Some are non-metals, some are metals, and other remaining are referred as metalloids. Metalloids are not proper metals but whenever they are heated, or their temperature rises they become metals and start acting like metals. Every element has their state of meter and unique properties which define their state, atomic number and ability to react with other elements. Oxygen and hydrogen are gaseous in nature whereas copper, iron, and gold are solid in nature. Further, the elements can be differentiated by their atomic number, their symbol, atomic mass, boiling point, melting point, density and even ionization energy. The atomic number of elements are determined by some protons present in their atom. Atomic number is the number of protons present in the atom. Capital Z denotes the Atomic number of elements. The atomic mass of the element is the sum of protons and neutrons present in the atom of the elements. As the atomic number differs from every element and so that atomic mass also differs. Another thing needs to be mentioned here is about isotopes and allotropes. Isotopes are the atoms having the same number of protons but a different number of electrons in it. It thus classifies the similar element into different kinds by a number of electrons in their atom. Like carbon has three isotopes, which means three different kinds of carbon exist. Allotropes, on the other hand, are the atoms of the same element that combine with atoms of the same kind and form long chains and different shapes that result in the change in their properties and features.
What is Compound?
Compound are the chemical substances that are made up of different kinds of elements reacting with each other. Different types of elements react and combine with each other to form a whole new thing termed as a compound. Compounds are the mixture, or we can say a combination of elements. Different elements combine in a fixed form of ratio to produce compounds of different types. The amount or ratio is fixed as per element. Elements combine with each other by their nature and reactivity. Among the elements, metals are considered to be the most reactive elements, and they can readily react to form new compounds. This combination and reactivity depend on the valency of the element. Valency is the number of electrons present in the outmost shell of the atom of an element. Many elements can be made reactive by increasing their temperature in the chemical reaction. Compounds, as formed, can also be a breakdown and decomposed into their native elements. Sometimes they spilled into ions forming different kinds of elements. Elements formed by decomposing of the compounds can be in their original form and also contain a new form as well.