A compound is defined as a substance made of two or more atoms that are chemically bonded together. Unlike pure substances that cannot be broken down, compounds can be decomposed into simpler substances through chemical reactions.
To elaborate, when atoms of different elements join together, they form a compound, such as water (H2O), which is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. These compounds can be broken down into their individual elements or simpler compounds through various chemical processes, such as heating or electrolysis.
In contrast, a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler stable substances, such as an element like oxygen (O2), is distinct from a compound. Understanding this difference is essential in the study of chemistry and helps in recognizing how substances interact with one another.