Molecules
Molecules
Molecules (/məˈlɛkjʊlz/) are the smallest identifiable units of chemical compounds that consist of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds. They are distinguished from ions by their lack of electrical charge.
Etymology
The term "molecule" is derived from the Latin molecula, which means a small mass or a little lump. It was first used in the early 19th century by French physicist Jean Perrin to describe the smallest particle of a substance that still retains its unique chemical identity.
Related Terms
- Atom: The basic unit of a chemical element, and the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.
- Compound: A substance formed when two or more chemical elements are chemically bonded together.
- Chemical bond: The attraction between atoms that allows the formation of chemical substances that contain two or more atoms.
- Ion: An atom or molecule with a net electric charge due to the loss or gain of one or more electrons.
Types of Molecules
Molecules can be classified into different types based on the number of atoms they contain and the types of chemical bonds that hold the atoms together.
Diatomic Molecules
Diatomic molecules are molecules composed of only two atoms, of the same or different chemical elements. Examples of diatomic molecules include oxygen (O2), nitrogen (N2), and hydrogen (H2).
Polyatomic Molecules
Polyatomic molecules are molecules that consist of more than two atoms. They can be of the same chemical element, such as ozone (O3), or of different elements, such as water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Molecules
- Wikipedia's article - Molecules
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