Difference Between Elements and Atoms for JEE Main 2024

The subject of Chemistry is quite interesting (only if you have an interest and understand the chapters). Chemistry has given us lots of things, and the basic part of it is, how matter consists of different things. With this, words like elements, substances, atoms, molecules, compounds, automatically relate themselves in each discussion.

We are well-aware that a substance is made of both elements and atoms. As both are not the same, what is the difference between elements and atoms?

Main Differences Between Elements and Atoms

Elements are the simplest form of any given substance. They are the purest form of a substance as they cannot be split or broken into sub-parts of a substance. However, scientifically, an element can be made of smaller particles like ions, molecules or atoms. To be simpler, and in most cases, elements are made from only one type of atom. If an element comes from steel, it means it will contain steel atoms only. Therefore, to be precise, atoms are the smallest part or amounts of elements. This is the primary difference between an atom and element. 

Atoms are the simplest unit of a matter. In their center, atoms have a closely packed nucleus. The nucleus in the center is surrounded by clouds of electrons. These electrons are negatively-charged particles of an atom. Furthermore, in the atom’s nucleus, some neutral neutrons which are electrically charged continue to converge with positively charged protons. However, Hydrogen is an exception as it is a form of nuclide that stays stable even without a single neutron.

When atoms bind or combine together through chemical reactions, they together form molecules. However, if like (same, without chemical reactions) atoms combine, they form elements. Therefore, technically, elements are composed of molecules. 

Now, in terms of elements, they combine to form chemical compounds that can be divided into several classifications. These are oxides, hydrides, molecular compounds, salts and others. When the elements combine together, the electrons in the atom stay bonded and do the same functionality as before the combination occurred. Both metals and non-metals combine with each to form ionic bonds. 

Example

Taking a closer look, let’s find out the difference between atoms and elements with an example!

Simply put, atoms are the smallest part of any ordinary matter. They are made from protons (that carry positive electrical charge), neutrons (that are neutral or no electrical charge) and electrons (that carry negative electrical charge). A perfectly built atom will have the same number of electrons and protons. 

On the contrary, elements are not that complicated as atoms. It is a simple substance that is made from a single type of atom. For instance, the element of hydrogen contains atoms that are made from a single electron and proton. In a sample of hydrogen, most of the atoms found in the element have no neutrons. Rarely may you find a single or two neutrons in the atoms. This version of hydrogen opens up a new chapter called isotopes.

Differences Between an Atom and an Element

Key Points

Let us look at the key points of Elements and Atoms here.

• An element is a basic substance made up of smaller particles known as atoms that cannot be further simplified.

• The smallest amount of an element is defined as an atom. It is made up of neutrons, protons, and electrons, which are subatomic particles.

• There is only one sort of atom in a given element.

• Atoms join to create molecules, and elements are formed when all bound atoms are the same.

• When the periodic chart was first published to describe different types of atoms, the term element was created.