What is the simplest form of a chemical?

The simplest form of a chemical is an element. Elements are pure substances that consist of only one type of atom and cannot be broken down into simpler substances through chemical means. Each element has a unique number of protons, which defines its identity, properties, and behaviors in chemical reactions.

In contrast, compounds are substances formed when two or more different elements chemically combine. Mixtures and solutions involve combinations of different substances but do not result in chemical bonding or form new chemical entities. Understanding these distinctions is important because it underscores the foundational concepts of chemistry and how substances relate to one another at a molecular level.