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The properties of a subtance depend not only on the atoms/elements it contains, but also the bonding patterns between them. In some cases, ie hydrogen peroxide and water, different bonds exist in one material which gives it different properties, such as the oxygen-oxygen peroxide bond. In other materials such as diamond and graphite, the same atoms are bonded together (in this example, carbon), but the crystal structure is different, thereby conveying vastly different properties to substances that seem similar. Thus, due to different atoms bonding and changes in crystal structure, many compounds can be formed from only a few elements.

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12y ago
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1d ago

The diversity of substances arises from the different ways elements can combine with each other to form compounds. Elements have unique properties, and when they combine in different ratios and arrangements, they create a wide variety of substances with distinct properties. This allows for the vast complexity and diversity of the materials we see in the world.

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Those elements can be together an almost infinte number of ways.

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They can be made because every substances is made of the same atoms.

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You mix all the materials together to get a new substance

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Q: How can so many substances in the world be made of so few elements?
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Are there fewer elements than compounds?

No, there are more elements than compounds. Elements are pure substances made up of one type of atom, while compounds are substances made up of two or more different types of atoms chemically bonded together. Since compounds are combinations of elements, there are fewer unique compound substances compared to the number of individual elements.


How can there be so many different substances in the world if there are only a few elements in common?

While it is true that there are only a little over one hundred elements, the diversity of all the substances on Earth comes from how they are combined. Some elements such as carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen can combine with themselves, while all others (with the exception of the noble gases) can combine with one or more other elements to form compounds. These thousands of combinations can, in turn, be combined into mixtures. To get a better idea, try to imagine sodapop. It's not made of one sodapop compound, but instead, it's a mixture of coloring, carbonated water, flavoring, and sugar, among other things. Hope this helps!


How are elements and compounds similar to each other?

Both elements and compounds are made up of atoms. Elements are made up of only one type of atom, while compounds are made up of two or more different types of atoms chemically combined in fixed ratios. Both elements and compounds have unique physical and chemical properties based on the composition of their atoms.


How is it possible that only 92 elements are found in the natural world but there are millions of different types of substance?

There are so, so, so many combinations possible, already with the 20 simplest, most occurring elements.2020 = 1.05*1026 and 1*2*3*4*5*6*78 .....*19*20 = (20!) = 2.5*1018 or even something in between are more possibillities than we have dicovered yet or will ever discover!!


Does pure substances have a fixed composition?

No. The nobel gases and the rare earth metals (gold, platinum) occur as pure substances in nature because they are relatively unreactive. Most materials do not occur as pure substances (typically oxidized) and must be treated to be made pure.

Related questions

How many so many different substances in the world be made of so few elements?

Because the earth is made of tiny bits of elements and only few!(:


How can so many different substances in the world be made of so few elements?

Because the earth is made of tiny bits of elements and only few!(:


How can so many differents substances in the world be made of so few elements?

Because the earth is made of tiny bits of elements and only few!(:


How many different substances can be made with four elements?

It depends on the elements! If two of them are carbon and hydrogen, hundreds of compounds can be made from these elements alone. If the four elements are all noble gases, no new substances can be made from them by chemical reaction.


How can so many different substances in the world be made of so few element?

Because the earth is made of tiny bits of elements and only few!(:


Are elements the purest substances in the universe?

Many substances can be purified.


How can a small number of naturally occurring element can result in a large variety of substances found in the world?

The natural combination of these elements result in many varying substances.


How can there be so many different kinds of substances in the world?

Different substances exist due to variations in the combinations of elements and molecules, as well as the way they interact and bond with each other. Elements combine in different ratios and structures to create a wide range of substances with unique properties and functions. This diversity is what allows for the vast array of materials and compounds we observe in the world.


How can so many substances result from so few elements?

you combine elements


How many of the substances in a fish are elements?

twenty-seven


How do you know how many elements are in H?

"H" or Hydrogen is an element, there are no other elements in it because all elements are pure substances.


Explain how difficult or easy it was to decide what elements were in the unknown substances using your result?

This depends on many factors. The identification is made by methods of analytical chemistry.