How can you tell the difference between an element and a compound

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. Examples of elements include iron, copper, hydrogen and oxygen. Examples of compounds include water (H2O) and salt (Sodium Chloride - NaCl)

Explanation:

Further Differences:

Defintion:

Compound - A compound contains atoms of different elements chemically combined together in a fixed ratio.

Element - An element is a pure chemical substance made of same type of atom.

Representation:

Compound - A compound is represented using its chemical formula that represents the symbols of its constituent elements and the number of atoms of each element in one molecule of the compound.

Element - An element is represented using symbols.

Composition:

Compound - Compounds contain different elements in a fixed ratio arranged in a defined manner through chemical bonds. They contain only one type of molecule. Elements that compose the compound are chemically combined.

Element - Elements contain only one type of atom. Each atom has the same atomic number i.e., the same number of protons in their nucleus.