Final answer:
The properties of a compound are typically different from the properties of the elements it contains, as they combine in fixed ratios resulting in unique properties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The properties of a compound are usually different than the properties of the elements it contains. Compounds consist of atoms of two or more different elements combined in a fixed ratio, which leads to unique properties that can be quite distinct from those of the individual elements involved. For example, water (H2O) is a compound made from hydrogen and oxygen, which on their own are gases, but combined they form a liquid vital to life.