Properties of Compounds1

Name_______________________________

Comparing Properties of Elements &

Compounds

Compounds are combinations of matter. They are two or more elements

whose atoms have chemically combined, or bonded.

When compounds are formed, the properties of the compound are different
from the properties of the elements that make up the compound.

For example:

Sodium [Na] is an element. It is a bright, silvery metal. It is soft and

reacts very easily. It floats on water. It may catch fire when it touches
water.

Photo source: http://resourcescommittee.house.gov

Chlorine [Cl] is an element. It is a greenish-yellow gas. It is an irritant

to the lungs and mucus membranes. High concentrations of chlorine gas
are fatal. Liquid chlorine can burn the skin.

Photo source: http://www.theodoregray.com

When sodium and chlorine combine comically, they form sodium chloride [NaCl], or
everyday table salt. Table salt is a white solid made of tiny crystals that are shaped
like cubes.

Photo source: http://www.lpl.arizona.edu

M. Poarch 2005
http://science-class.net
 Properties of Compounds2

Baking Soda [NaHCO3] is another common compound. Another, more scientific name
for baking soda is Sodium Bicarbonate. It is made up of four elements: Sodium [Na],
Hydrogen [H], Carbon [C], and Oxygen [O].

What to do:

Use the following websites to research some of the physical properties of the
elements that make up baking soda. Complete the chart to compare the properties of
each element and the compound.

http://periodic.lanl.gov/elements/11.html
http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/na.html
http://www.webelements.com/

Property Baking Soda Sodium Hydrogen Carbon Oxygen

black / colorless /
Color white silvery colorless colorless pale blue

State / phase solid solid Gas solid gas

Melting Point 270C 97.72C -259.2C 3,500C -218.8C

Boiling Point 851C 883C -252.9C 4,827C -183C

How do the properties of the elements compare to each other? How do they compare

to the compound?

All of the elements and compounds have different colors; three of the five have a

solid standard phase and the two remaining have a gaseous standard phase; all have

different melting and boiling points (the gaseous elements had negative values for

both). The compound of Baking Soda inherits more characteristics from sodium than

from the other elements.

M. Poarch 2005
http://science-class.net