How does a molecule differ from a atom?

Answer 1

The difference between an atom and a molecule is that a molecule is made up of two atoms or more that are bonded together. The atoms of the molecule can bonded in a covalent bond or any other type of chemical bond.

Answer 2

An atom is the smallest unit of an element that retains its chemical properties, consisting of a nucleus and electron cloud. A molecule consists of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds, forming a stable unit. In essence, molecules are composed of atoms, and atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter.

Answer 3

An atom is different than a molecule because of its composition. An atom is only made of a single element, whereas a molecule is made of multiple elements that are bonded to one another. That means that molecules are made of atoms.

Answer 4

Atoms (the smallest particle that can take part in a chemical change) are what compose molecules. This simple concept brings with it many important ramifications.

First, why do atoms form molecules? Atoms have a nucleus of a collection of protons and neutrons, with a cluster of electron probability surrounding it. When an appropriate atom approaches another appropriate atom in the right way (such that a bonding orbital will be formed) the electrons change their preferred location. Now, instead of being around an atom in a symmetrical fashion, they will prefer to be between the atoms. This is because when there are two atoms, there are two nuclei; thus, twice as much positive charge in the vicinity. This entire process serves to lower the potential of the system, which is favored in nature.

An important difference between atoms and molecules are how the interact with each other. An atom can only interact (attractively) with a like atom through London dispersion. This is where the motion of electrons forms a momentary multipole, which then induces a similar (but opposite) momentary dipole in a neighboring atom. These interactions are normally very weak.

Molecules can interact in a variety of different ways. First, due to electronegativity differences between its compositional atoms, a molecule may have a permanent dipole. When surrounded by other molecules that have permanent dipoles, these molecules exhibit dipole-dipole interaction, which is generally much stronger than London dispersion. A special kind of dipole-dipole interaction is called hydrogen bonding, and occurs when a relatively small electronegative atom bonds with a hydrogen atom. These are normally even stronger than standard dipole-dipole interactions.

Answer 5

An atom is the smallest particle of an element that has the properties of that element. A molecule is composed of two or more chemically bonded atoms. Examples of molecules: H2, Cl2, H2O, CO2, NaNO3, CuSO4

Answer 6

Because an atom is the smallest unit of matter that cannot be broken down by chemical means and molecule is a group of atoms held together by covalent bonds.

Answer 7

A molecule will be two or more atoms joined by their valence electrons.

Answer 8

A molecule is formed from two or more atoms.