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Chapter 5: Problem 49

Give a general definition of a molecule.

Short Answer

Expert verified
A molecule is a group of two or more atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction. Molecules can be homonuclear, made up of atoms of the same element, or heteronuclear, composed of atoms of different elements. They have unique properties like shape, size, and polarity, which determine their behavior in chemical processes. Molecules play a crucial role in various fields such as chemistry, biology, and physics, and are the building blocks of matter.

Step by step solution

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1. Define Molecule

A molecule is a group of two or more atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction. Molecules can be made up of the same type of atoms or can be composed of different kinds of atoms.
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2. Types of Molecules

Molecules can be classified into two main categories: homonuclear and heteronuclear. (a) Homonuclear Molecules: These are molecules that are made up of atoms of the same element. For example, a molecule of hydrogen gas (H2) consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded together. (b) Heteronuclear Molecules: These are molecules composed of atoms of different elements. These include water (H2O), where two hydrogen atoms are bonded to an oxygen atom, and carbon dioxide (CO2), where a carbon atom is bonded to two oxygen atoms.
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3. Properties of Molecules

Molecules have unique properties and characteristics, such as shape, size, and polarity, that determine their behavior in different chemical processes. These properties are influenced by the type of atoms that form the molecules and the pattern of chemical bonds between the atoms.
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4. Importance and Applications

Molecules play a crucial role in various fields, including chemistry, biology, and physics. They are the building blocks of matter and are responsible for the properties and characteristics of all substances. Understanding the nature of molecules and their interaction with other molecules is fundamental to the study of chemical reactions, the synthesis of new materials, and drug development.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Using only the periodic table, determine which bond in each pair is more ionic: (a) \(\mathrm{H}-\mathrm{F}\) or \(\mathrm{H}-\mathrm{Cl}\) (b) \(\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{F}\) or \(\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{F}\)

Draw a dot diagram for the \(\mathrm{NO}_{2}^{+}\) cation.

What is the accepted shortcut for drawing a shared pair of electrons (a covalent bond) in a molecular drawing?

It is convenient to classify substances as ionic or covalent. How would you classify sodium sulfate? Explain fully.

Without knowing the electronegativity values, in what situation can you be absolutely sure that the bonding between two atoms will be purely covalent?
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