There are 118 elements in the periodic table. what is a likely estimate of the number of compounds formed by these elements? 118 compounds as each compound is made of one element 236 compounds as each compound is made of two elements far greater than 118 because elements combine in various ways 59 compounds because elements pair up with each other to form all compounds

Answer is: Far greater than 118 because elements combine in various ways.

Number of compounds is more than 30 millions.

A chemical compound is a substance composed of many identical molecules.

Element bonded to an identical chemical element is not a compound.

For example, emerald (beryl) is chemical compound (beryllium aluminium cyclosilicate) with the chemical formula Be₃Al₂(SiO₃)₆.  

Other example, molecule carbon(IV) oxide (CO₂) is made of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms bonded with covalent bonds.

Element is pure substance is made of only one type of atom (element) or only one type of molecule, it has definite and constant composition with distinct chemical properties.

sodium (na), for example, has one electron in its valence shell. this is an unstable state because that valence shell needs eight electrons to be full. in order to fill its valence shell, find a way to add seven electrons to its valence shell