chemical compounds

Chemical compounds are substances formed when two or more different elements chemically bond together in specific ways. These combinations create unique properties that differ from the individual elements. For example, water (H₂O) is a compound made of hydrogen and oxygen. Compounds can be found in everyday life, from the salt we use in cooking (sodium chloride) to the medicines we take. They are essential to various processes in nature, industry, and our bodies, playing crucial roles in everything from metabolism to the functioning of materials. Understanding compounds helps us appreciate the complexity of the world around us.