Compound vs. Solution: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A compound is a substance formed when two or more elements are chemically combined in a fixed ratio. In contrast, a solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances, where the components are uniformly distributed at the molecular level.
Key Differences
Compound: A chemical entity formed by the combination of two or more elements in a fixed proportion, exhibiting unique properties. Solution: A homogeneous mixture where one substance (solute) is dissolved in another (solvent), retaining each component's properties.
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In a compound, elements are chemically bonded, changing their individual properties to form a new substance. A solution mixes substances without chemical bonding, preserving the individual properties of each component.
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Compounds have a definite composition and structure, such as water (H2O), where hydrogen and oxygen are chemically bonded. Solutions, like saltwater, involve physical mixing of solute (salt) in a solvent (water) without changing the chemical identity of each.
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The formation of a compound involves a chemical reaction, resulting in energy changes. In contrast, creating a solution involves a physical process, generally without significant energy changes.
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Compounds can be broken down into simpler substances only by chemical means. In contrast, components of a solution can often be separated by physical methods like evaporation or filtration.
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Comparison Chart
Composition
Fixed ratio of elements chemically bonded
Variable ratio of substances mixed without chemical bonds
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Property Change
Exhibits new properties, different from its components
Retains individual properties of its components
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Formation
Via chemical reaction, involves energy change
Via physical mixing, usually with little energy change
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Example
Water (H2O) - hydrogen and oxygen chemically combined
Saltwater - salt (solute) dissolved in water (solvent)
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Compound and Solution Definitions
Compound
Interest calculated on the initial principal and accumulated interest
Compound interest accelerates savings growth.
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Solution
A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances
Salt dissolved in water forms a solution.
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Compound
A mixture of different substances for medicinal use
The pharmacist prepared a compound ointment.
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Solution
A means of solving a commercial problem
The new software provided a solution for data management.
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Compound
To combine so as to form a whole; mix
Tin was often compounded with lead to make pewter.
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Solution
The act of solving a problem or difficulty
Her solution to the puzzle was ingenious.
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Compound
To produce or create by combining two or more ingredients or parts; compose or make up
Pharmacists compounding prescriptions.
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Solution
The answer to a problem or equation
Finding the value of x was the solution to the equation.
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Compound
To settle (a debt, for example) by agreeing on an amount less than the claim; adjust.
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Solution
A method or process of dealing with a problem
Sought a solution to falling enrollments.
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Solution
The answer to a problem or the explanation for something
The solution to the mystery.
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Compound
To add to or intensify so as to make worse
"The university authorities ... compounded their crime in dismissing [the professor] by denying that their action ... reflected any abridgment of academic freedom" (John Kenneth Galbraith).
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Solution
A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances, which may be solids, liquids, gases, or a combination of these.
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Compound
To make worse by being an additional or intensifying factor
High winds compounded the difficulties of the firefighters.
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Solution
The state of being dissolved
Nitrogen that is in solution in the ocean.
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Compound
Consisting of two or more substances, ingredients, elements, or parts.
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Solution
A homogeneous mixture, which may be liquid, gas or solid, formed by dissolving one or more substances.
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Solution
An act, plan or other means, used or proposed, to solve a problem.
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Compound
(Linguistics) A word that consists either of two or more elements that are independent words, such as loudspeaker, self-portrait, or high school, or of specially modified combining forms of words, such as Greek philosophia, from philo-, "loving," and sophia, "wisdom."
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Solution
(marketing) A product, service or suite thereof, especially software.
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Compound
(Chemistry) A pure, macroscopically homogeneous substance consisting of atoms or ions of two or more different elements in definite proportions that cannot be separated by physical means. A compound usually has properties unlike those of its constituent elements.
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Compound
A building or buildings, especially a residence or group of residences, set off and enclosed by a barrier.
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Solution
The act of dissolving, especially of a solid by a fluid; dissolution.
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Compound
An enclosure within which workers, prisoners, or soldiers are confined.
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Solution
The act of separating the parts of any body, or the condition of undergoing a separation of parts; disruption; breach.
In all bodies there is an appetite of union and evitation of solution of continuity.
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Compound
A group of buildings situated close together, e.g. for a school or block of offices.
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Solution
The act of solving, or the state of being solved; the disentanglement of any intricate problem or difficult question; explanation; clearing up; - used especially in mathematics, either of the process of solving an equation or problem, or the result of the process.
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Solution
The state of being dissolved or disintegrated; resolution; disintegration.
It is unquestionably an enterprise of more promise to assail the nations in their hour of faintness and solution, than at a time when magnificent and seductive systems of worship were at their height of energy and splendor.
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Compound
(chemistry) A substance formed by chemical bonding of two or more elements in definite proportions by weight.
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Solution
The act or process by which a body (whether solid, liquid, or gaseous) is absorbed into a liquid, and, remaining or becoming fluid, is diffused throughout the solvent; also, the product resulting from such absorption.
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Compound
(linguistics) A lexeme that consists of more than one stem or an affix, e.g. bookshop, high school or non-standard.
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Solution
A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution;
He used a solution of peroxide and water
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Compound
(rail) A compound locomotive, a steam locomotive with both high-pressure and low-pressure cylinders.
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Solution
A statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem;
They were trying to find a peaceful solution
The answers were in the back of the book
He computed the result to four decimal places
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Solution
A method for solving a problem;
The easy solution is to look it up in the handbook
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Compound
(math) Dealing with numbers of various denominations of quantity, or with processes more complex than the simple process.
Compound addition
Compound proportion
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Solution
The set of values that give a true statement when substituted into an equation
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Compound
(music) An octave higher than originally (i.e. a compound major second is equivalent to a major ninth).
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Solution
The successful action of solving a problem;
The solution took three hours
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Compound
(transitive) To form (a resulting mixture) by combining different elements, ingredients, or parts; to mingle with something else.
To compound a medicine
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Solution
An act of solving a personal or public matter
Negotiation was the best solution to their disagreement.
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Compound
To settle by agreeing on less than the claim, or on different terms than those stipulated.
To compound a debt
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Compound
(intransitive) To come to terms of agreement; to settle by a compromise.
To compound with someone / for something
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Compound
To increase in value with interest, where the interest is earned on both the principal sum and prior earned interest.
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Compound
In the East Indies, an inclosure containing a house, outbuildings, etc.
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Compound
That which is compounded or formed by the union or mixture of elements ingredients, or parts; a combination of simples; a compound word; the result of composition.
Rare compound of oddity, frolic, and fun.
When the word "bishopric" was first made, it was made as a compound.
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Compound
A union of two or more ingredients in definite proportions by weight, so combined as to form a distinct substance; as, water is a compound of oxygen and hydrogen.
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Compound
To form or make by combining different elements, ingredients, or parts; as, to compound a medicine.
Incapacitating him from successfully compounding a tale of this sort.
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Compound
To put together, as elements, ingredients, or parts, in order to form a whole; to combine, mix, or unite.
We have the power of altering and compounding those images into all the varieties of picture.
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Compound
To modify or change by combination with some other thing or part; to mingle with something else.
Only compound me with forgotten dust.
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Compound
To settle amicably; to adjust by agreement; to compromise; to discharge from obligation upon terms different from those which were stipulated; as, to compound a debt.
I pray, my lords, let me compound this strife.
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Compound
To effect a composition; to come to terms of agreement; to agree; to settle by a compromise; - usually followed by with before the person participating, and for before the thing compounded or the consideration.
Here's a fellow will help you to-morrow; . . . compound with him by the year.
They were at last glad to compound for his bare commitment to the Tower.
Cornwall compounded to furnish ten oxen after Michaelmas for thirty pounds.
Compound for sins they are inclined toBy damning those they have no mind to.
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Compound
Composed of two or more elements, ingredients, parts; produced by the union of several ingredients, parts, or things; composite; as, a compound word.
Compound substances are made up of two or more simple substances.
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Compound
(chemistry) a substance formed by chemical union of two or more elements or ingredients in definite proportion by weight
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Compound
An enclosure of residences and other building (especially in the Orient)
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Compound
Make more intense, stronger, or more marked;
The efforts were intensified
Her rudeness intensified his dislike for her
Potsmokers claim it heightens their awareness
This event only deepened my convictions
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Compound
Of leaf shapes; of leaves composed of several similar parts or lobes
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Compound
Consisting of two or more substances or ingredients or elements or parts;
Soap is a compound substance
Housetop is a compound word
A blackberry is a compound fruit
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Compound
Composed of many distinct individuals united to form a whole or colony;
Coral is a colonial organism
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Compound
A substance with two or more elements chemically combined
Water is a compound of hydrogen and oxygen.
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Compound
A walled enclosure of buildings
The embassy compound was heavily guarded.
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Compound
A word made up of two or more existing words
Butterfly is an example of a compound word.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Do compounds have the same properties as their constituent elements?
No, compounds exhibit unique properties different from their individual elements.
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Are all solutions liquid?
No, solutions can be in any state of matter (solid, liquid, or gas), though liquid solutions are most common.
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What defines a chemical compound?
A chemical compound is a substance formed when two or more elements combine chemically in a fixed ratio.
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Is the air we breathe a solution?
Yes, air is a solution composed of various gases mixed together.
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Can compounds be separated into their elements easily?
Compounds require chemical processes for separation, as their elements are chemically bonded.
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How is a solution different from a compound?
A solution is a homogeneous mixture without chemical bonding between its components, unlike a compound where elements are chemically bonded.
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Can a compound be a solution?
No, a compound is a chemically bonded entity with a fixed ratio, distinct from a solution, which is a physical mixture.
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Can the concentration of a solution change?
Yes, the concentration of a solution can vary depending on the amount of solute and solvent.
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Why are compounds considered pure substances?
Compounds have a uniform and definite composition, making them pure substances.
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Are all compounds stable?
Not all compounds are stable; some may be reactive or decompose under certain conditions.
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What's an example of a solid solution?
An alloy like bronze (copper and tin mixed) is an example of a solid solution.
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How do we know if a mixture is a solution?
If a mixture is uniform and homogeneous at the molecular level, it is a solution.
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What's a common example of a gaseous solution?
A common example of a gaseous solution is air, which is a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and other gases.
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Are compounds only formed from non-metals?
Compounds can be formed from any combination of elements, not just non-metals.
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Is seawater a compound or a solution?
Seawater is a solution, with various salts dissolved in water.
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What role does temperature play in forming a solution?
Temperature can affect the solubility of a substance, influencing the formation of a solution.
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Is distilled water a compound or a solution?
Distilled water is a compound (H2O), composed of hydrogen and oxygen.
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Can a solution be colored?
Yes, solutions can be colored if the solute or solvent has color.
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Can the pH of a solution indicate its nature?
Yes, the pH of a solution can indicate whether it is acidic, basic, or neutral.
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Are all solutions transparent?
Not necessarily; the transparency of a solution depends on the properties of the solute and solvent.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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