Step-by-step explanation:
The building blocks of compounds are atoms. Atoms are the smallest units of matter that retain the chemical properties of an element. They combine with other atoms through chemical bonding to form molecules and compounds. Each atom consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons that orbit the nucleus. Different elements are characterized by the number of protons in their nuclei, which gives them unique chemical properties. When atoms of different elements combine, they form compounds, which are substances made up of two or more different types of atoms chemically bonded together. The arrangement and types of atoms in a compound determine its chemical properties and behavior.