Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between elements and compounds?

a. the properties of compounds always resemble the properties of the elements of which they are made.
b. the properties of elements are much different from the properties of the compounds that they make up.
c. a compound does not always have to contain the same number of atoms of each element.
d. atoms of more than one element can combine in different ways to form the same product.

Option (B) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

An atom which consists of same number of protons is defined as an element. An element can combine with other elements or it can also combine with its own atoms.

For example, is an element a single chlorine atom combines with another chlorine atom.

Whereas a compound consists of atoms of different elements and not same element.

For example, is a compound as it contains atoms of different elements.

Therefore, we can conclude that statement, the properties of elements are much different from the properties of the compounds that they make up best describes the relationship between elements and compounds.