1. A pure substance containing only one kind of atom. An element can't be separated into simpler materials (except during nuclear reactions). Over 100 existing elements are listed and classified on the periodic table. Compounds: 2. A pure substance containing two or more kinds of atoms. The atoms are chemically combined in some way. Often they come together to form groups of atoms called molecules. Compounds can't be separated by physical means. Separating a compound requires a chemical reaction