“Water (H2O) is an atom.”
Usage Entry 1292 / 1350 60-second read
Atom vs. Molecule
A single unit of an element versus two or more atoms bonded together.
The comparisoni
“Water (H2O) is a molecule — two hydrogens and one oxygen bonded. An atom is a single element unit.”
The ruleii
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ATOM = one. MOLECULE = many bonded.
ATOM is the smallest unit of an element — one hydrogen atom, one oxygen atom. MOLECULE is two or more atoms chemically bonded — water (H2O), oxygen gas (O2), table salt (NaCl). Molecules can be pure (O2) or compounds (H2O).
Memory aidiii
Remember it like this
Atom = single. Molecule = group.