What is the Difference Between Atom and Compound?

The difference between an atom and a compound lies in their composition and structure:

• Atom: An atom is the smallest part of an element that can exist, containing a nucleus with protons and neutrons, surrounded by an electron cloud. Atoms are the building blocks of elements and are composed of a single type of atom.
• Compound: A compound is a substance formed from elements by chemical reactions. It contains two or more elements chemically combined in fixed proportions and can be represented by formulae using the symbols of the atoms from which they were formed. Examples of compounds include water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and sodium chloride (NaCl).

In summary:

• Elements are substances that cannot be simplified further and are composed of a single type of atom.
• Atoms are the smallest units of elements and are the building blocks of all matter.
• Compounds are substances formed by the chemical combination of two or more elements in fixed proportions.

Comparative Table: Atom vs Compound

Here is a table summarizing the differences between an atom and a compound:

In summary, an atom is the smallest unit of an element, while a compound is a substance formed when two or more chemical elements are chemically bonded together. Atoms are the building blocks of elements, whereas compounds are formed from the chemical bonding of atoms with each other. Both atoms and compounds are pure substances.