An atom is the smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element. It consists of a nucleus (containing protons and neutrons) and electrons orbiting around the nucleus. Atoms can exist independently or can combine with other atoms to form molecules.
On the other hand, a molecule consists of two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds. It is the smallest unit of a compound that retains the chemical properties of that compound. Molecules can be made up of atoms of the same element (diatomic molecules like O2 or H2) or atoms of different elements (such as water - H2O).
So, in summary, an atom is a single entity, while a molecule is a combination of multiple atoms bonded together. They have distinct structures and behavior.
How is an atom different from a molecule?
An atom contains multiple molecules.
A molecule contains multiple atoms.
Atoms are the same thing as molecules.
1 answer