Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Compounds are substances formed when two or more different elements chemically bond together in fixed proportions. They have unique properties distinct from their constituent elements.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Compounds are always composed of atoms from two or more different elements.
The properties of a compound differ from the properties of the individual elements that make it up.
Compounds can be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means but not by physical means.
Water (H₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) are common examples of compounds.
The type of bonds holding the atoms together in a compound can be ionic, covalent, or metallic.
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Related terms
Element: A pure substance consisting entirely of one type of atom.
Molecule: The smallest unit of a chemical compound that retains its chemical properties.
Ionic Bond: A type of chemical bond formed through the electrical force between oppositely charged ions.