What kind of properties do compounds have compared to their individual elements?

Compounds possess properties that are different from those of the individual elements that comprise them. This occurs because when elements chemically combine to form a compound, they undergo a reaction that alters their individual characteristics. For instance, sodium is a highly reactive metal, and chlorine is a toxic gas, but when they combine, they form sodium chloride (table salt), which is safe for consumption and has entirely different properties than either sodium or chlorine alone.

This transformation is rooted in the way atoms bond and form new chemical structures, leading to the emergence of distinct physical and chemical properties in the compound. Consequently, the properties of a compound are not a direct reflection of the properties of its constituent elements, emphasizing the unique characteristics that arise from the chemical interactions between those elements.