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Elemental vs Chemical - What's the difference?

elemental | chemical |

As adjectives the difference between elemental and chemical

is that elemental is of, relating to, or being an element (as opposed to a compound while chemical is of or relating to alchemy.

As nouns the difference between elemental and chemical

is that elemental is a creature (usually a spirit) that is attuned with, or composed of, one of the classical elements: air, earth, fire and water. They sometimes have unique proper names and sometimes are referred to as Air, Earth, Fire, or Water while chemical is any specific chemical element or chemical compound.

elemental

English

Adjective

(-)
  • (chemistry) of, relating to, or being an element (as opposed to a compound)
  • basic, fundamental or elementary
  • of the ancient supposed elements of earth, air, fire and water
  • (by extension) of, or relating to a force or nature, especially to severe atmospheric conditions
  • Noun

    (elementals) (en noun)
  • (fantasy) A creature (usually a spirit) that is attuned with, or composed of, one of the classical elements: air, earth, fire and water. They sometimes have unique proper names and sometimes are referred to as Air, Earth, Fire, or Water.
  • chemical

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • (label) Of or relating to alchemy.
  • Of or relating to chemistry.
  • Of or relating to a material or processes not commonly found in nature or in a particular product.
  • Derived terms

    * technochemical

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Any specific chemical element or chemical compound.
  • (label) An artificial chemical compound.
  • I color my hair with henna, not chemicals .
  • (label) An addictive drug.
  • Usage notes

    * The noun is frequently used in a slang and more specific non-technical way (2nd and 3rd definition) by the general public. Chemists and those who understand chemistry may gravitate toward the first, but the term "substance" is preferred usage.

    Derived terms

    * antichemical * chemical abortion * chemical affinity * chemical agent * chemical beam epitaxy * chemical biology * chemical bond * chemical castration * chemical change * chemical clock * chemical composition * chemical database * chemical decomposition * chemical defense * chemical dependency * chemical depilatory * chemical dermatitis * chemical ecology * chemical element * chemical energy * chemical engineering * chemical fingerprint * chemical hazard * chemical horn * chemical indicator * chemical industry * chemical kinetics * chemical laser * chemical law * chemical messenger * chemical oceanography * chemical pathology * chemical peel * chemical peritonitis * chemical physics * chemical plant * chemical reaction * chemical reactor * chemical sensitivity * chemical series * chemical shift * chemical toilet * chemical weapon

    See also

    * molecule * reagent

    Anagrams

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