You Science Buffs...

[Wesley Smith]

I need some help trying to remember an old science lesson on the difference between a "compound and a solution." As I remember, one of them consists of two, or more, elements being combined and later being able to separate them. The other (I think...solution) is where two or more elements once combined cannot be separated. Help!

Friend,

Wes

[Ryan Scott]

A chemical compound is the combination of two or more elements in a specific ration (H2O for example). A solution is a little simpler; it involves one substance dissolved in another (saltwater for example) without need for a specific ration (although you can have one).

Ultimately everything can be separated (sometimes it's harder than others). Perhaps what you were going for with the separation language was that in a solution, the two materials remain distinct from each other, whereas in a compound, they form something different and distinct.

Maybe there's an actual scientist who has a better explanation than this. Did that make any sense?

[Wesley Smith]

Yes that made sense and was inline with what I was thinking, but you explained it better. Thanks! Wes

[Doug Kitchen]

A chemical compound is the combination of two or more elements in a specific ration (H2O for example). A solution is a little simpler; it involves one substance dissolved in another (saltwater for example) without need for a specific ration (although you can have one).

Ultimately everything can be separated (sometimes it's harder than others). Perhaps what you were going for with the separation language was that in a solution, the two materials remain distinct from each other, whereas in a compound, they form something different and distinct.

Maybe there's an actual scientist who has a better explanation than this. Did that make any sense?

Ryan,

That was very, very close! Excellent!!

I don't know if this is better (especially since it is 11pm here) but here goes:

Solutions are mixtures of chemical compounds which are homogeneous. Chemical compounds have specific ratios of chemical elements that are held together by chemical bonds.

Seawater is a solution that contains many dissolved chemical compounds. table salt, or sodium chloride is most prevalent but the fish appreciate the dissolved oxygen and plants, the dissolved carbon dioxide. Seawater also contains suspended particulates (like sand).

Compounds are formed between chemical elements and they can have various integer ratios among the elements - like carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and sodium bicarbonate (Sodium (Na) + HCO3), baking soda. baking powder is Na2CO3, sodium carbonate. Note that the latter two are nearly insoluble in water until you add a little acid (like vinegar). Tums (calcium carbonate) has a similar reaction with vinegar.

Doug