Molecule Chemistry Example 1

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Example 1

easy
Define a molecule and explain the difference between a molecule of an element and a molecule of a compound.

Solution

  1. 1
    A molecule is a group of two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds, acting as a single unit.
  2. 2
    A molecule of an element contains only one type of atom: e.g., O2\text{O}_2 (two oxygen atoms), N2\text{N}_2 (two nitrogen atoms).
  3. 3
    A molecule of a compound contains two or more different types of atoms: e.g., H2O\text{H}_2\text{O} (hydrogen and oxygen), CO2\text{CO}_2 (carbon and oxygen).

Answer

Molecule of element: O2. Molecule of compound: H2O.\text{Molecule of element: O}_2\text{. Molecule of compound: H}_2\text{O.}
The term molecule specifically refers to covalently bonded groups of atoms. Ionic compounds like NaCl form crystal lattices rather than discrete molecules, so they are described by formula units instead.

About Molecule

The smallest unit of a covalent substance, consisting of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds (typically covalent), acting as a single distinct.

Learn more about Molecule →

More Molecule Examples

Example 2 medium

The molecular formula of glucose is [formula]. How many total atoms are in one molecule of glucose?

Example 3 medium

How many atoms are in one molecule of [formula] (glucose)? How many molecules are in 1 mole of gluco

Example 4 medium

Explain why [formula] and [formula] (ozone) are both molecules of the same element but have differen

Example 5 hard

A molecule of aspirin has the formula [formula]. Calculate the total number of atoms in one molecule

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