What is a molecule? Name two compounds that are made up of molecules.

1 Answer
Jun 23, 2018

A molecule is a discrete formula unit made up of at least ONE atom...

Explanation:

...the which corresponds to a molecular formula. And by way of example, the Noble gases, while all are ATOMIC, are DEFINITELY molecular. The elemental gases dioxygen, #O_2#, and dinitrogen, #N_2#, are definitely molecular.

For examples of MOLECULAR compounds, consider water, #H_2O(l)#, and carbon dioxide, #CO_2#, and carbon monoxide, #CO#, and #NO_2#, and #NO#, and #N_2O#.

The distinction between a molecular and non-molecular species is one of the most important chemical distinctions we can make. Molecular materials, as DISCRETE collections of molecules, should have low to moderate boiling and melting points, given that intermolecular interaction is of RELATIVELY low-magnitude....