What are molecules?

1 Answer
Meave60
Dec 21, 2017

All molecules consist of two or more atoms covalently bonded. The atoms can be the same element (diatomic element), or they can be different elements and are compounds. The noble gases exist as monatomic elements, and are not molecules.

Explanation:

Monatomic elements: #"He"#, #"Ne"#, #"Ar"#, etc...

Molecules include diatomic elements and compounds:

Diatomic elements: #"H"_2#, #"O"_2#, #"N"_2#, etc...

Compounds: #"H"_2"O"#, #"CO"_2"#, #"NO"#, etc...

Related questions
See all questions in Everything is Made of Atoms
Impact of this question
2391 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License