Question

Both carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are made of carbon and oxygen, but they are not the same compound. Explain why these compounds differ from each other.

Answer 1

Carbon monoxide is 1 carbon and 1 oxygen, as in CO, or C₁O₁, and carbon dioxide is 1 carbon and 2 oxygen, as in CO₂

Answer 2

Carbon monoxide is a carbon atom bonded with an oxygen atom. Carbon dioxide is a carbon atom bonded with two oxygen atoms. That's it really, they have different properties but that is significantly more detailed and all a result of their molecular formula.