How Is An Atom Different From An Element?

Basically an atom is the unit of an element and the element is a unit of compound, mixture or molecule. Elements consists of atoms. Atoms of a specific element are all same and have unique properties as compare to the atoms of a different element. The chemical configuration of electrons in an atom determines the characteristics of an element.

Examples of elements include Gold, silver, sodium, potassium and all the natural and artificial elements found in the world. On the other hand examples of atoms include the atoms of Gold, atoms of Silver etc. This shows that atom is a basic unit of an element.