Salt, or NaCl, is another common compound. It is made of one atom each of the elements Sodium (Na) and Chlorine (Cl). Because of this, salt can also be referred to as Sodium Chloride. When elements are chemically joined as compounds they have properties that are different than their individual elemental properties.

Elemental sodium is a soft metal that reacts strongly with water. Elemental chlorine is a yellow–green gas. But when they come together, a new chemical compound is created: Table salt!