What is the Difference Between Atom and Molecule?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between an atom and a molecule lies in their composition and structure:
- Atom: An atom is the smallest component of an element, representing the smallest unit of matter that still has all the properties of its element. Atoms consist of subatomic particles, such as electrons, protons, and neutrons.
- Molecule: A molecule is a neutral particle made of two or more atoms bonded together. Molecules can be composed of atoms of the same element or different elements. They exist freely in nature but do not participate in chemical reactions as individual units.
In summary, atoms are the building blocks of elements, while molecules are groups of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental units of chemical compounds.
Comparative Table: Atom vs Molecule
Here is a table outlining the differences between atoms and molecules:
Characteristic | Atoms | Molecules |
---|---|---|
Definition | The smallest, most fundamental unit of an element that retains the properties of that element | Two or more atoms chemically bonded together |
Structure | Composed of subatomic particles: electrons, protons, and neutrons | Consists of more than two atoms, either of the same element or different elements |
Stability | Atoms are not stable when alone; they cannot exist individually | Molecules are stable when alone and can exist individually |
Separability | Atoms cannot be separated into subatomic particles by chemical reactions | Molecules can be separated into atoms by chemical reactions |
Examples of atoms include hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S). Examples of molecules include oxygen gas (O2), hydrogen chloride (HCl), phosphorus (P4), and sulfur (S8).
Read more:
- Molecule vs Atom
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- Cell vs Atom
- Atom vs Compound
- Atomic vs Molecular Elements
- Atom vs Ion
- Atom vs Ion
- Molecules vs Compounds
- Atoms vs Elements
- Atoms vs Particles
- Molecule vs Mixture
- Molecule of Element vs Molecule of Compound
- Atomic Mass vs Molar Mass
- Atomic Mass vs Molecular Weight
- Molecule vs Lattice
- Atomic Mass Unit vs Atomic Mass
- Atomic Spectroscopy vs Molecular Spectroscopy
- Atomic Oxygen vs Molecular Oxygen