Molecules and particles are related concepts, but they are not synonymous.
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Molecules: A molecule is a specific type of particle that consists of two or more atoms chemically bonded together. Molecules can be made up of the same type of atom (like O₂, which is made of two oxygen atoms) or different types of atoms (like H₂O, which is made of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom).
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Particles: The term "particle" is a broader term that can refer to any small unit of matter. This includes not only molecules but also atoms, ions, and subatomic particles (like protons, neutrons, and electrons). Essentially, all molecules are particles, but not all particles are molecules.
In summary, while all molecules are particles, not all particles qualify as molecules.