Like some elements, goes a different way to America (7)
I believe the answer is:
gaseous
'like some elements goes a different way to america' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'goes a different way to america' is the wordplay.
'different way' indicates an anagram.
'to america' becomes 'US' (United States).
'goes'+'a'='goesa'
'goesa' with letters rearranged gives 'gaseo'.
'gaseo'+'us'='GASEOUS'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for gaseous that I've seen before include "Like helium" , "Not solid or liquid" , "lacking definition?" , "Like oxygen, neon, etc" , "Of a non-solid, non-liquid form" .)