An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the chemical properties of an element. It consists of a nucleus of protons and neutrons, orbited by electrons. Atoms combine and form molecules or compounds.
A molecule is a combination of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds. These atoms can be of the same element (like nitrogen gas, N2) or different elements (like water, H2O). Molecules can exist as discrete entities and have characteristic properties different from their constituent atoms.
A compound, on the other hand, is a type of molecule that consists of different types of atoms bonded together. It is a pure substance with a specific ratio of atoms. Compounds can have properties that are distinct from the elements they are composed of. For example, sodium chloride (NaCl) is a compound formed by the bonding of sodium and chlorine atoms, and it has completely different properties than its constituent elements.
Describe the difference between an atom and a molecule or compound.
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