Compounds Elements FAQs Elements and compounds are the two forms in which pure substances exist. Element Definition: Elements – Elements constitute the simplest chemical substances in which all the atoms are exactly the same. Compound Definition: Compounds – Compounds are chemical substances made up of two or more elements that are chemically bound together in a fixed ratio. Chemistry is the study of the structures, physical properties, and chemical properties of material substances. It ... A chemical element is any substance that cannot be decomposed into simpler substances by ordinary chemical processes. Elements are the fundamental materials of which all matter is composed. Learn more about the origins, distribution, and characteristics of chemical elements in this article. An element is a pure substance that consists of only one type of atoms or molecules. Learn about the properties, names, symbols, and types of elements, and how they differ from compounds and mixtures. Chemical elements . Atomic elements . Simple substances. Elements of the periodic table. These are all different terms for the same concept. A long time ago, “ elements ” used to mean earth, air, wind and fire – but that is no longer true. The idea of an “ element ”, a basic building block of matter, has piqued the curiosity of mankind for many ages. But in chemistry – what exactly is an element – how do we define it? History of an Element Aristotle decreed that there were four ...