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Elements, Compounds and Mixtures

Compounds.

A compound is a substance made from two or more elements
which have reacted chemically with each other.

A compound is a completely new material
which will often have totally different properties
from the elements which made it.

For example
The element sodium is a highly reactive metal.
The element chlorine is a yellow-green poisonous gas (non-metal).

When the two react together, they form a compound called sodium chloride.
Sodium chloride is common salt, which you eat with food.
You wouldn't want to eat the elements!

You cannot separate the elements of a compound by physical methods.
It can only be done by using more chemical reactions
or by passing electricity through it (if it conducts electricity).

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