The new set of characteristics will be unique to the new substance. A compound formula will consist of the symbols of two or more elements with appropriate subscipts. If no subscript appears after an element symbol, then the subscript is assumed to be 1. The subscripts indicate the number of atoms of the different elements that appear in one molecule of the compound. The component elements in a compound are attached to each other through electrostatic forces known as chemical bonds.
Bonds can either be covalent bonds or ionic bonds.
Each type of bond will introduce a specific set of qualities, or characteristics, into the compound. A compound can not easily be separated into the individual elements. The bonds that hold the structure together will resist being broken. In other words, chemical reactions are needed in order to split a compound into its component parts. The equation that is used to calculate the electrostatic force is The k is a constant that is needed to complete the expression.