Final answer:
Chemical combination of two or more elements results in the formation of a compound with properties distinct from the individual elements, represented by an empirical formula showing the types and ratios of atoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
When two or more elements chemically combine, the result is a compound. This process involves the formation of new chemical bonds between the atoms of the elements, resulting in substances with properties different from the individual elements. For example, when hydrogen and oxygen chemically combine in a specific ratio, they form water (H₂O). Similarly, when sodium combines with chlorine, table salt (NaCl) is formed. The composition of a compound is often described using an empirical formula that indicates the types of atoms present and the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in the compound.