Burning of magnesium metal

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Elements are pure substances where all the atoms are same type. Chemical reactions join or split atoms to rearrange them. But they cannot change one element into another element, or anything simpler. Each element has a special name. For example carbon, oxygen and hydrogen, magnesium is all elements.

Compounds are pure substances made by two or more elements join together by chemical bonds. This means that compounds will always exist as molecules, not separate atoms. For example when oxygen reacts with magnesium it formed a compound called magnesium oxide, MgO.

Mixture is made from different substances that are not chemically joined together. For example powdered iron and powdered sulphur mixed together makes a mixture of iron and sulphur. They can be separated from each other without a chemical reaction For example air, sea water, and most rocks e.t.c. can be separated using chemical reaction.

Most elements are metals reather than non-metals. Iron, magnesium and gold are examples of metal elements. Oxygen, carbon, sulphur and chlorine are examples of non-metal elements. Differences between metal and non-metal's properties-

Metals

Non-metals

Appearance

Shiny

Dull

State at room temperature

Solid (except mercury, which is