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...

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