Element, Compound and Mixture


An element is a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by any chemical reaction. An element is made up of only one type of atom. For example, gold, silver, iron, oxygen, etc.


A compound is a pure substance that is composed of two or more different elements chemically combined in a fixed proportion. The elements in a compound are always present in a fixed ratio. For example, water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), sodium chloride (NaCl), etc.


A mixture is a combination of two or more pure substances in which each substance retains its own chemical identity and properties. In a mixture, there is no fixed ratio of the different components. Mixtures can be either homogeneous or heterogeneous. Homogeneous mixtures have uniform composition throughout, while heterogeneous mixtures have non-uniform composition. For example, air, soil, sugar solution, etc.

Parameter	Element	Compound	Mixture
Composition	Contains only one type of atom	Contains two or more different types of atoms chemically combined in a fixed proportion	Contains two or more pure substances mixed together
Properties	Has unique physical and chemical properties	Has properties that are different from its constituent elements	Has properties that are the sum of its constituent substances
Separation	Cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means	Can be broken down into its constituent elements by chemical means	Can be separated by physical means
Ratio	Does not have a fixed ratio	Has a fixed ratio of its constituent elements	Does not have a fixed ratio

In conclusion, elements, compounds, and mixtures are the three main types of pure substances. Elements are made up of only one type of atom, compounds are made up of two or more different types of atoms chemically combined in a fixed proportion, and mixtures are made up of two or more pure substances mixed together. Each of these substances has unique properties and can be distinguished from the others by their composition, properties, and ability to be separated by physical or chemical means.