What is the difference between an element and an atom? Can an element have compounds? Can an element contain molecules? Does an element need to be stable?

Question

amtran_bus · Answer

An element is a certain type of atom.  For example, carbon is an element as is oxygen.  They have specific, individual characteristics such as proton number and electrons.  There are different isotopes of the same element, however.  That has to do with neutron number.

Compounds are made of 2 or more compounds, such as NaCl or AgNo3.

amtran_bus · Answer

A unit consisting of two or more atoms that are joined together is called a molecule.  Take 02, oxygen, for example.  It along with 6 other elements exist as a two atom unit.

ybarrap · Answer

A compound is also a molecule?