Which Of The Following Is An Example Of A Compound

Which of the Following is an Example of a Compound? Understanding Chemical Compounds

This article will explore the definition of a chemical compound and provide examples to help you understand the concept. We'll also look at what differentiates a compound from other types of matter, like mixtures and elements. Understanding compounds is fundamental to grasping basic chemistry.

What is a Chemical Compound?

A chemical compound is a substance formed when two or more chemical elements are chemically bonded together. This bonding results in a new substance with properties different from its constituent elements. Crucially, these elements are combined in fixed ratios, creating a specific chemical formula. This contrasts with mixtures, where the components retain their individual properties and can be present in varying proportions.

Key Characteristics of Compounds:

• Fixed Ratio of Elements: Compounds always contain the same elements in the same ratio by mass. For example, water (H₂O) always consists of two hydrogen atoms for every one oxygen atom.
• Distinct Properties: The properties of a compound are different from the properties of the elements that make it up. For instance, sodium (Na) is a highly reactive metal, and chlorine (Cl) is a toxic gas, yet their compound, sodium chloride (NaCl), or table salt, is a harmless crystalline solid.
• Chemical Bonds: The elements in a compound are held together by strong chemical bonds, such as ionic or covalent bonds. These bonds require significant energy to break.
• Specific Chemical Formula: Each compound has a unique chemical formula that represents the type and number of atoms of each element present.

Examples of Compounds:

Let's consider several substances and determine if they are compounds:

• Water (H₂O): This is a classic example of a compound. It is formed from the bonding of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Its properties – liquid at room temperature, a universal solvent, etc. – are vastly different from those of hydrogen and oxygen individually.

• Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): Another common compound, carbon dioxide consists of one carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms. It's a gas crucial in the Earth's carbon cycle and is a byproduct of respiration.

• Sodium Chloride (NaCl): As mentioned earlier, table salt is a compound formed from the ionic bonding of sodium and chlorine.

• Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆): A simple sugar and a vital energy source, glucose is a compound containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms in a specific ratio.

• Table Sugar (Sucrose): Sucrose is a compound with the formula C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁. It's a disaccharide formed from glucose and fructose.

What is NOT a Compound?

To solidify your understanding, let's look at examples that are not compounds:

• Air: Air is a mixture of various gases, including nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. These gases are not chemically bonded together.
• Saltwater: Saltwater is a mixture of water and salt. The salt is dissolved in the water, but they are not chemically bonded.
• Pure Gold (Au): Gold is a chemical element, not a compound. Elements are substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.

In Conclusion:

Identifying a compound requires understanding its fundamental characteristics: a fixed ratio of chemically bonded elements resulting in distinct properties. By applying these criteria, you can correctly classify substances as either compounds or other forms of matter. This foundational knowledge is critical for further exploration in chemistry.