Inorganic compound

Inorganic Compound

An Inorganic Compound (pronunciation: /ɪnɔːrˈɡænɪk ˈkɒmpaʊnd/) is a type of chemical compound that is not carbon-based. This term is used in contrast to organic compounds, which are carbon-based compounds, often containing chains of carbon atoms in rings or long chains, to which hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen atoms are attached.

Etymology

The term "Inorganic Compound" originates from the domain of chemistry. The prefix "in-" is derived from the Latin word 'in' meaning 'not' and "organic" refers to substances that are based on carbon compounds. Thus, "Inorganic" essentially means 'not organic' or 'not carbon-based'.

Related Terms

Organic Compound: A compound that contains carbon atoms, often in rings or long chains, to which hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen atoms are attached.
Chemical Compound: A substance formed from two or more elements chemically united in fixed proportions.
Chemistry: The branch of science that deals with the identification of the substances of which matter is composed; the investigation of their properties and the ways in which they interact, combine, and change; and the use of these processes to form new substances.
Element: A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.
Molecule: The smallest particle in a chemical element or compound that has the chemical properties of that element or compound.