Water is denser in its liquid state than in its solid state, which is why ice can float on or in liquid water. Before mankind knew about atoms and molecules, water was considered an element. Festival of Sacrifice: The Past and Present of the Islamic Holiday of Eid al-Adha. The chemical formula for water is H2O, which means each molecule of water consists of one oxygen atom chemically bonded to two hydrogen atoms. Other planets that are not water-rich have had very different natural histories. Water is an compound of the 2 hydrogen and one o oxygen that's why it is called compound and the element means which exist only one atom eXAMPLE OXYGEN … Water is a chemical compound; the water in a lake is a mixture between water and impurities. Though water is everywhere on Earth, it is a very unusual compound because of the nature of the chemical bonds between its atoms. Because the electrons are not shared equally between the hydrogen and oxygen atoms, portions of the water molecule have partial positive or partial negative charges. The slightly positive hydrogen atoms and slightly negative oxygen atoms cause molecules of water to bond with one another, creating the many hydrogen bonds present in water. Because the electrons are not shared equally between the hydrogen and oxygen atoms, portions of the water molecule have partial positive or partial negative charges. Water is a compound and not an element or a mixture. Also, some molecules contain both ionic and covalent bonds between the various atoms. It shapes our mountains, carves our oceans, and drives our weather. A compound forms whenever two or more atoms form chemical bonds with each other. In the past, some schools taught that molecules consisted of atoms bonded via covalent chemical bonds, while compounds were formed via ionic bonds. While it’s elemental for our existence, is water an element? In summary, the modern definition of a compound is a type of molecule consisting of at least two different types of atoms. These hydrogen bonds keep water liquid over a wide range of temperatures. Here are a few of its eccentricities: These unusual properties have had a profound impact on the development of life on Earth and on the weathering and erosion of Earth's surface. Is Water an Element, Compound or Mixture. ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Water (independent of forms) is a compound - H2O; tap water is of course water - but containing some minor impurities. Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. Water consists of two types of atoms: hydrogen and oxygen. The terms "molecule" and "compound" mean the same thing and can be used interchangeably. Water is important for life, weather, and many processes. However, as scientists came to understand chemical bonding better, the line between ionic and covalent bonds became fuzzier. By this definition, water is both a molecule and a compound. The hydrogen and oxygen atoms in water are covalently bonded, so under these older definitions, water would be a molecule but not a compound. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Why Water Is Not an Element Is the Coronavirus Crisis Increasing America's Drug Overdoses? No, water is a compound of two elements: hydrogen and oxygen. Water is a compound made of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen. It would be logical to think that water must be one of the basic elements. In summary, the modern definition of a compound is a type of molecule consisting of at least two different types of atoms. Water is everywhere on our planet and it's the reason we have organic life. The difference between an element and a compound is that an element is a substance made of same type of atoms, whereas a compound is made of different elements in definite proportions. Other elements included earth, air, fire, and sometimes metal, wood, or spirit. Examples of elements include iron, copper, hydrogen and oxygen. The atoms within a compound are held together with the help of various interactions and forces ranging from the covalent bonds to the different forces in ionic bonds. Water is often referred to as the "universal solvent" because of its amazing ability to dissolve so many substances. Will 5G Impact Our Cell Phone Plans (or Our Health?! Water is a compound made of two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen. ), The Secret Science of Solving Crossword Puzzles, Racist Phrases to Remove From Your Mental Lexicon. But in reality, water is a chemical compound. An example of a compound would be table salt, NaCl. By using ThoughtCo, you accept our, Compounds With Both Ionic and Covalent Bonds, Ionic vs Covalent Bonds - Understand the Difference, Chemistry Vocabulary Terms You Should Know, Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College. Scientists classify water as a compound and not an element. Sometimes confusion arises because the definitions of molecule and compound haven't always been so clear-cut. By this definition, water is both a molecule and a compound. Oxygen gas (O2) and ozone (O3), for example, are substances that are molecules but not compounds. Oxygen gas (O 2) and ozone (O 3), for example, are substances that are molecules but not compounds. Fact Check: What Power Does the President Really Have Over State Governors? Water has an unusually high boiling point based on its molecular weight. It has the formula H2O, meaning that each molecule of water contains two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen. Thus, water is a compound. Examples of compounds include water (H 2 O) and salt (Sodium Chloride - NaCl) Water is a compound that is made from two molecules of hydrogen and one molecule of oxygen. Oxygen is a more electronegative atom than hydrogen, which means that oxygen attracts electrons more than hydrogen does. It's also a molecule, which is any chemical species formed by two or more atoms chemically bonded to each other. The hydrogen atoms are bonded to the oxygen atom by the sharing of electrons, called a covalent bond. In some traditional sense, you could consider water an element, but it doesn't qualify as an element according to the scientific definition—an element is a substance consisting of only one type of atom. The hydrogen atoms are bonded to the oxygen atom by the sharing of electrons, called a covalent bond.