Question

Give an example of how the properties of a compound differ from the properties of the individual elements.

a) Elements combine to form compounds with different physical and chemical properties.
b) Compounds have the same properties as the individual elements.
c) Elements and compounds have no differences in properties.

Answer 1

Compounds like water (H2O) and sodium chloride (NaCl) have different physical and chemical properties option (a) from their constituent elements, hydrogen, oxygen, sodium, and chlorine. This demonstrates that elements combine to form substances with distinct and often unexpected properties.

Step-by-step explanation:

An example of how the properties of a compound differ from the properties of the individual elements can be seen with water (H2O). Hydrogen (H2) is a highly flammable gas and oxygen (O2) supports combustion, yet when these elements combine to form water, the result is a liquid that extinguishes fire.

This illustrates that compounds have different physical and chemical properties from their constituent elements, behaving as completely different substances.

In another example, sodium (Na) is a reactive metal that explodes on contact with water, and chlorine (Cl2) is a toxic gas, but when they combine to form sodium chloride (NaCl), or table salt, the result is a stable, edible crystal that is essential for life. Chemical reactions break or form the bonds between atoms, resulting in compounds with properties distinct from those of their constituent elements.

Overall, these examples highlight that compounds may have different chemical and physical properties compared to the individual elements they comprise.