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A molecule is the smallest particle of an element or compound capable of an independent life and exhibiting all of the substance's properties.
In general, a molecule is a set of two or more atoms that are chemically bound or held together by attractive forces.
Atoms from the same or different elements may combine to form a molecule.
Atoms from the same or different elements may combine to form a molecule.
Example:
- To understand it, consider a water molecule, the two elements, hydrogen and oxygen atoms combined, to form a water molecule.
- Calcium oxide \(CaO\) contains two elements, calcium and oxygen atoms combined to form a calcium oxide molecule.
- Oxygen \(O_2\) contains two elements of an oxygen atom.
- Chlorine \(Cl_2\) contains two elements of a chlorine atom.
Molecules of elements:
The atoms that make up an element's molecules are all of the same nature.
- Monoatomic Elements:
In their molecular form, certain elements are monatomic, meaning they are made up of just one atom (mono-atomic).
Helium \(He\) is an example of a monoatomic element.
- Diatomic Elements:
If the molecule constitutes two atoms, we can classify it as a diatomic molecule. In their molecular shape, other elements have two or more atoms.
Each molecule of hydrogen \(H_2\), oxygen \(O_2\), and chlorine \(Cl_2\), for example, has two atoms.
- Triatomic Elements:
If another atom is combined with , it forms ozone, which is a triatomic molecule.
Note:
- Monoatomic and diatomic molecules are more stable than triatomic molecules.
- Most non-metal elements are diatomic molecules.
Molecules of compounds:
Compound molecules contain atoms from two or more separate elements.
Example:
Water \(H_2O\), for example, has three atoms: Two hydrogen (H) atoms and one oxygen (O).
Methane \(CH_4\) with five atoms: One carbon (C) and four hydrogen (H) atoms.
Glucose \(C_6H_{12}O_6\) contains elements such as \(6\) carbon, \(12\) hydrogen and \(6\) oxygen, combined to form a glucose molecule.
Sodium chloride \(NaCl\) contains the one element of each sodium and chlorine combined to form a sodium chloride molecule.
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