Molecule
Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2016 7:40 am
What's a molecule? Is molecule the smallest particle of a compound in or compound is one type of molecule? I'm really confused.
Hi Emma,
Have you tried googling 'molecule'? You need to have some basic knowledge of chemistry to understand the definitions. Have you had any chemistry lessons in school? You can find Chem 101 on google or youtube.
A molecule consists of two or more atoms. Do you know what an 'atom' is? In order to understand atoms you need to know what a chemical element is. Elements are the substances that everything is made of--iron, lithium, oxygen, hydrogen, silicon and over 100 more. Each element is chemically and physically distinct from every other element.
The building blocks of elements are atoms and the building blocks of molecules are atoms. We breathe a molecule called oxygen. Oxygen the gas consists of two oxygen atoms that are attached together. When two oxygen atoms are attached to each other and to one hydrogen atom it changes the molecule from a gas to a liquid--water!
Water is a compound composed of many, many water molecules, H2O. Oxygen is a compound made up of many O2 molecules. Now do you understand? Post again if you still have questions.
Sybee