Why is water considered as a compound ? Give 2 reasons
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Water is considered a compound for the following two main reasons:
- It is made up of two or more elements chemically combined in a fixed ratio.
- It has properties that are different from the individual elements that form it.
Explanation
Water is scientifically classified as a compound because it consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom that are chemically bonded together. This combination forms the chemical formula H₂O. In chemistry, a compound is defined as a substance made from two or more different elements that are bonded together in definite proportions. In the case of water, hydrogen and oxygen always combine in a 2:1 ratio. This fixed proportion never changes regardless of the source of water, which is a hallmark characteristic of compounds.
Another reason water is considered a compound is that it exhibits completely different physical and chemical properties than the elements from which it is formed. Hydrogen is a highly flammable gas, and oxygen supports combustion, but when these two gases combine to form water, the resulting substance is a stable, non-flammable liquid at room temperature. This dramatic change in properties supports the conclusion that water is not a mere mixture but a new substance with its own identity — a compound.
Furthermore, compounds like water can only be broken down into their elements by chemical means. You cannot separate water into hydrogen and oxygen by physical processes such as filtering or boiling. It requires an electrical process called electrolysis to decompose it into its original elements. This further proves that the elements in water are chemically bonded, not just mixed.
In summary, water qualifies as a compound because it is composed of two different elements in a fixed ratio and because it has distinct properties that differ from its component elements. These defining features clearly set it apart from mixtures and make it a classic example of a chemical compound.
