Filtration, decantation, and evaporation are examples of
ways in which scientists distinguish between elements and compounds
separation by chemical means
separation by physical means
ways in which scientists separate compounds
An element is made of only one kind of atom, while a compound contains the atoms of two or more elements. For example, gold is made of only one kind of atom, so it is an element, but water is a mix of hydrogen and oxygen, so it is a compound.
