Chemical Compound
From Halbeeg, the open encyclopedia · Af-Soomaali
142 languages
A chemical compound is a substance composed of two or more elements whose atoms are held together by chemical bonds. The proportion of elements in a given compound is fixed: water always contains two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
A compound differs from a mixture. In a mixture, the constituent substances retain their original properties and can be separated by physical means such as filtering or evaporation. In a compound, the properties are new, and separation requires a chemical process.
Atomic Bonding
Atoms in a compound are held together in different ways. Ionic bonding results from the transfer of electrons between a donor atom and an acceptor atom, as in salt. Covalent bonding results from the sharing of electrons, as in gases and most organic substances. There also exist metallic bonding in metals and coordinate bonding in coordination compounds.
Formula and Nomenclature
Every compound is represented by a chemical formula indicating the elements and the number of atoms. Examples include H₂O, CO₂, and NaCl. The international IUPAC nomenclature system governs how compounds are named, ensuring that each name identifies a single structure.
Major Categories
Chemistry generally divides compounds into organic compounds, whose base is carbon and hydrogen, and inorganic compounds such as salts, oxides, and acids. Organic compounds include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, which form the foundation of life.