Compound

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Compound is a term used in chemistry to describe a substance formed from two or more elements chemically united in fixed proportions. It can also refer to a combination of two or more parts, elements, or ingredients.

Chemical Compounds[edit | edit source]

In chemistry, a compound is a substance formed when two or more chemical elements are chemically bonded together. Two types of chemical bonds common in compounds are covalent bonds and ionic bonds. The elements in any compound are always present in fixed ratios.

Covalent Compounds[edit | edit source]

Covalent compounds are compounds where atoms share electrons through covalent bonds. The formation of a covalent bond is the result of atoms sharing some electrons. Covalent compounds are usually formed by a combination of nonmetals.

Ionic Compounds[edit | edit source]

Ionic compounds are compounds composed of ions, charged particles that form when an atom (or group of atoms, in the case of polyatomic ions) gains or loses electrons. A cation is a positively charged ion and an anion is a negatively charged ion.

Pharmaceutical Compounds[edit | edit source]

In pharmacy, a compound is a mixture of drugs, a medication that is made by combining different substances. When a pharmacist compounds a medication, they make a drug customized to the specific needs of a patient.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

Compound Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD