Understanding Atoms, Molecules, Compounds, Isotopes, and Ions
What is the term used to describe a combination of two or more atoms of the same type?
A combination of two or more atoms of the same type is called a molecule.
Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter, and when two or more atoms combine, they form molecules. A molecule is a stable, electrically neutral group of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.
Difference between a Molecule and a Compound
A molecule made up of atoms of the same element is called a molecule, while a molecule made up of atoms of different elements is called a chemical compound. Compounds are substances composed of two or more different elements chemically bonded together in fixed proportions.
For example, molecular hydrogen (H2) is a molecule, as it consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded together. On the other hand, water (H2O) is a compound, comprising two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom bonded together.
Understanding the distinction between molecules and compounds is essential in chemistry as it helps in categorizing and describing various types of substances based on their composition.