Atoms and Molecules
Atoms are the smallest particles of elements that contain the characteristics
of the elements. For example, Nitrogen atoms contain the characteristic
features of nitrogen while oxygen atoms contain the same of oxygen.
When two or more atoms remain connected with each other in a chemical bond, it
is known as a molecule. You learn about chemical bonds in detail in chapter
five. Two oxygen atoms (O) bond to each other to form an oxygen molecule
(O2).
Again, a carbon atom (C) bonds with two oxygen atoms (O) to generate a carbon
dioxide (CO2) molecule.
When more than one atom of a specific element bonds each other, they produce
that element’s molecule, like O2, When atoms of different elements
bond together to produce a molecule, it is called a molecule of the compound,
like CO2.
