Molecules Definition

Molecules are defined as the group of atoms chemically bonded together. Molecules can be composed of the same type of atom or different types of atoms. When atoms bond, they form a more stable structure called a molecule. Different types of chemical bonds can form between atoms, including covalent bonds, ionic bonds, and metallic bonds. In covalent bonding, atoms share electrons, while in ionic bonding, one atom transfers electrons to another atom. Metallic bonds are the special types of bonds generally formed between metals of d-blocks by the sharing of their electrons that differ from other types of bonds.

Characteristics of a Molecule

Various characteristics of a molecule are,

• All the compounds around us are made up of molecules.
• A molecule can exist in a solid, liquid, or gaseous state.
• A molecule is formed by combining two or more atoms in a fixed ratio.
• Various atoms in any molecule combined using different types of bonds
• For a molecule, the ratio of combining different atoms never changes.
• Some examples of the molecules are, H₂O (Water molecule), O₂ (Oxygen molecule), NH₃ (Ammonia molecule), etc.

The image added below shows a water molecule and a hydrogen atom, hydrogen atoms are highly unstable and generally, it did not exist in nature, it always reacts with other elements to form other stable compounds

Learn more about

• Molecular Mass
• Molecules and Compounds
• Molecular Weight Formula

Atoms and Molecules are the basic building blocks of all matter around us. There are some fundamental differences between atoms and molecules but they are essential in understanding the behavior of the world around us. Initially, atoms were thought to be indestructible, i.e. we can not further break an atom into other parts. But later it was confirmed that atoms can be further divided into fundamental particles. Molecules are groups of one or more types of atoms that combined in a fixed ratio to form a compound.

The basic difference is that an atom is a single structure whereas, a molecule is a structure made of multiple atoms of the same or different kinds. In this article, we will learn about, Atoms, Molecules, their differences, and others in detail.