Does anybody know a relationship between atoms & elements, and molecules & compounds?
An element is a pure substance consisting of only one type of atom. An atom is the smallest unit of an element. (Elements are all the things listed on the periodic table, and they are defined based on the number of protons they have.) Atoms come together to form compounds. If the atoms gain and lose electrons to form ions with opposite charges, then the ions are attracted to each other and you have ionic compounds. Table salt (sodium chloride) is formed this way. Sodium loses an electron to become positively charged and chlorine gains an electron to become negatively charged. The positive and negative charges attract, and you have sodium chloride. It the atoms share electrons, covalent bonds are formed, and these compounds are called molecules. Water is formed this way.
