
Chemical compound | Definition, Examples, & Types | Britannica
Chemical compound, any substance composed of identical molecules consisting of atoms of two or more chemical elements. All the matter in the universe is composed of the atoms of more than 100 …
Chemical compound - Elements, Molecules, Reactions | Britannica
Chemical compound - Elements, Molecules, Reactions: Chemical compounds may be classified according to several different criteria. One common method is based on the specific elements …
Definition and classification of chemical compounds | Britannica
chemical compound, Any substance composed of identical molecules consisting of atoms of two or more elements.
chemical compound - Students | Britannica Kids | Homework Help
Chemical compounds are named based on the elements they contain. For example, a molecule of carbon dioxide is made of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. Di- means two and shows that …
Chemical compound - Bonding, Structure, Properties | Britannica
Chemical compound - Bonding, Structure, Properties: The carbon atom is unique among elements in its tendency to form extensive networks of covalent bonds not only with other elements but also with …
Organic compound | Definition & Examples | Britannica
An organic compound is any chemical compound in which one or more atoms of carbon are covalently linked to atoms of other elements, most commonly hydrogen, oxygen, or nitrogen. The few carbon …
Chemical bonding | Definition, Types, & Examples | Britannica
Apr 21, 2026 · Chemical bonding, any of the interactions that account for the association of atoms into molecules, ions, crystals, and other species. When atoms approach one another, their electrons …
Ionic compound | Description, Examples, & Uses | Britannica
Ionic compound, any of a large group of chemical compounds consisting of oppositely charged ions, wherein electron transfer, or ionic bonding, holds the atoms together. Ionic compounds usually form …
Plastic - Polymers, Synthetic, Recycling | Britannica
Apr 14, 2026 · Plastic - Polymers, Synthetic, Recycling: Polymers are chemical compounds whose molecules are very large, often resembling long chains made up of a seemingly endless series of …
Chemical synthesis | Organic & Inorganic Reactions | Britannica
chemical synthesis, the construction of complex chemical compounds from simpler ones. It is the process by which many substances important to daily life are obtained. It is applied to all types of …