Compounds

Compounds are substances formed when two or more different elements chemically combine in fixed proportions. Each compound has unique properties distinct from the individual elements. For example, water (H2O) is a compound made from hydrogen and oxygen; it has different characteristics than either gas alone. Compounds can be found in various forms, including solids, liquids, and gases, and they play crucial roles in both nature and human-made products. Understanding compounds is essential in fields like chemistry, biology, and materials science, as they are fundamental building blocks of matter and are involved in countless chemical reactions.