What is the difference between chemical elements and compounds?

A chemical element is made up of only one type of atom. Examples of chemical elements are: hydrogen, helium, iron, gold, silver, plutonium, and bismuth. They may exist as single atoms or as polyatomic molecules, but they are still made of just one element. A compound on the other hand is a molecule that is made up of two or more elements. Examples of compounds are: water, sulfuric acid, and salt.