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Learn the Difference Between Molecule and Compound with Examples
IMPORTANT LINKS
Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry
In Chemistry, molecules are the particles that consist of two or more than two atoms and compounds are formed when two or more atoms combine together. Compounds and molecules are almost similar but the difference is that all molecules are not compounds. Let us understand with an example. HCl is a molecule which consists of one hydrogen atom and one chlorine atom bonded together. So HCl is a molecule while on the other side water having a formula
What are Molecules?
A molecule is the smallest unit of a substance that has all the properties of that substance. It is made up of two or more atoms that are joined together by chemical bonds. Molecules contain elements and subscript the number of atoms. In Chemistry, we know that an atom is the fundamental unit of an element. It acts as a building block for any molecule. They are made up of an electron-surrounded nucleus. An atom is considered to have valence electrons if its electron shell is not complete. A chemical bond is created between the atoms and it attain a lower energy state when two or more atoms join together to share outer shell valence electrons. In an exothermic reaction, energy is released as atoms bond. It needs energy input and is therefore endothermic if the covalent link is broken and the molecule is split apart.
When only two atoms combine with each other then it is known as a diatomic molecule. There are two types of diatomic molecules one is a homonuclear diatomic molecule and the other one is a heteronuclear diatomic molecule like Carbon monoxide CO made up of a single atom of carbon and one of oxygen so it is an example of a heteronuclear diatomic molecule. Oxygen
This is an oxygen molecule. In an oxygen molecule there are two atoms of oxygen and together they form a homonuclear molecule. There are several other examples of molecules like carbon dioxide (
What are Compounds?
Compounds are pure substances that are made up of atoms of two or more different elements. Compounds can be divided into individual elements. A predetermined proportion of atoms make up these compounds. Atoms are connected together through chemical bonds. The forces that keep the atoms of molecules and compounds together are best characterized as chemical bonds. Chemical bonds can be divided into two categories: ionic and covalent bonds.
Ions with oppositely charged charges attract one another electrostatically to form an ionic bond. At least one valence electron from one ion is entirely transferred to the other ion. The ion acquires a positive charge when an electron is lost, and a negative charge when an electron is gained. Cations and anions are the names for positively and negatively charged ions, respectively.
A covalent bond is created when two atoms exchange one of their valence electrons, forming a connection. All molecules cannot be compound.
Difference Between Molecule And Compound
These are the differences between molecules and compounds
| Molecules | Compounds |
| Molecules are basically made up by the chemical bonding of two or more atoms of the same element or different elements. | Compounds are those chemical substances that contain two or more different chemical elements. |
| They contain the same or different types of chemical elements. | They contain different chemical elements only. |
| They can be homonuclear and heteronuclear both. | They are only heteronuclear. |
| Atoms in molecules bind mainly through covalent bonds. | Atoms in compounds mainly through covalent bonds. |
| NaCl, |
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Difference Between Molecule And Compound FAQs
How are atoms, molecules and compounds related?
Molecules and compounds both are made up of two or more atoms only so they all are related to each other.
Is water a molecule or a compound?
Water is a compound because it is made up of hydrogen and oxygen molecules.
What is the main difference between molecule and compound?
A molecule is a group of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds. A compound is a substance which is formed by two or more different types of elements which are united chemically in a fixed proportion.
What are three examples of molecules?
The examples of molecules are
What are the five most common molecules?
Acetic acid-
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