A chemical compound is a chemical substance consisting of two or more different chemically bonded chemical elements, with a fixed ratio determining the composition.

The ratio of each element is usually expressed by chemical formula.

For example, water (H2O) is a compound consisting of two hydrogen atoms bonded to an oxygen atom. The atoms within a compound can be held together by a variety of interactions, ranging from covalent bonds to electrostatic forces in ionic bonds.

A continuum of bond polarities exist between the purely covalent bond (as in H2) and ionic bonds.

For example H2O is held together by polar covalent bonds.

Sodium chloride is an example of an ionic compound..

For more information about the topic Chemical compound, read the full article at Wikipedia.org, or see the following related articles:

Organic chemistry — Organic chemistry is the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and synthesis of organic compounds that by definition ...  > read more

Molecule — In general, a molecule is the smallest particle of a pure chemical substance that still retains its composition and chemical properties. In chemistry ...  > read more

Chemical bond — A chemical bond is the physical phenomenon of chemical substances being held together by attraction of atoms to each other through sharing, as well ...  > read more

Oxidizing agent — An oxidizing agent (also called an oxidizer or oxidant) is referred to as a chemical compound that readily transfers oxygen atoms or a substance that ...  > read more

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