What is a molecule? Give an example.

When atoms interact and attach to each other, they form a chemical bond. This process involves the exchange or sharing of electrons that reside in the outermost shell of each atom, known as the valence shell. There are three main types of chemical bonds:

• Covalent Bonds: Atoms share one or more pairs of electrons, creating a strong bond. For instance, the oxygen and hydrogen atoms in a water molecule are held together by covalent bonds.
• Ionic Bonds: One atom donates electrons to another, resulting in positive and negative ions that attract each other. Sodium chloride (table salt) is a common example where sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) ions bond ionicly.
• Metallic Bonds: Electrons are shared over many nuclei and possess delocalization, typical between atoms of metallic elements.

The specific chemistry including how these bonds form, dictates the strength and properties of the resulting molecule. Covalent bonds, for example, are quite strong, leading to stable molecular structures under normal conditions.

The atomic composition of a molecule determines its chemical properties and how it behaves in reactions. Atoms consist of protons, neutrons, and electrons; the arrangement of these particles determines the type of atom or element. In a molecule, atoms come together in specific ratios to fulfill their need for a more stable electron configuration.

For example, in a water molecule (H₂O), there are two hydrogen atoms for every one oxygen atom. Each hydrogen atom has one electron, which it shares with the oxygen's unpaired electrons, allowing them to form a covalent bond. The ratio and type of atoms in a molecule are always consistent for any given molecule, giving the molecule its unique properties. This consistency and predictability in molecular composition are vital in chemical reactions and formulations.

Molecules are everywhere, making up the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the compounds that compose all living things. Here are a few molecular examples that illustrate the diversity and complexity of molecules:

• Water (H₂O): Essential for life, water is a simple molecule consisting of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom.
• Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): Produced by respiration and combustion, this molecule has a central carbon atom double bonded to two oxygen atoms.
• Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆): A primary source of energy for cells, glucose is a larger molecule with a more complex structure involving a ring of carbon atoms with attached hydrogen and oxygen atoms.
• DNA: The blueprint of life, DNA is a very long molecule made up of a chain of nucleotides, each containing a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogen base.

These examples represent a tiny fraction of the myriad of molecular structures that exist and underscore the vast array of functionalities that molecules can possess.