Question

how do you distinguish a compound verses an element? what is the difference?

Explanation:

An element is a pure substance made of only one type of atom and cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. A compound is a pure substance formed when two or more different elements chemically combine in a fixed ratio. For example, hydrogen ($H$) is an element, while water ($H_2O$) is a compound made of hydrogen and oxygen elements.

Answer:

An element consists of one - type of atom and is indivisible by chemical reactions. A compound is formed by chemical combination of different elements in a fixed ratio.