What does “Homonuclear” and “Diatomic” mean?

1 Answer
anor277
Mar 14, 2018

Well, #H_2# is a #"homonuclear, diatomic molecule...."#

Explanation:

It is #"homonuclear"# because the molecule is composed of atoms of the SAME kind....and it is diatomic because the molecule consists of TWO atoms..

Other #"homonuclear, diatomic molecules...."# include #Li_2#, #N_2#, #O_2#, #X_2#,,,

#"Heteronuclear, diatomic molecules...."# include #HX#, #CO#, #ClF#, #NO#,,,,i.e. the diatom is composed of two different atoms....

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